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Everton are believed to be willing to pay £16.8m to complete the signing of a midfielder who possesses “enormous qualities” this summer.

Everton pushing to sign £30m Liam Delap

The Blues have been linked with various potential new signings of late, but Liam Delap is a name who has stood out as a particularly exciting option, as they look to bolster their attack ahead of next season.

It has been claimed that David Moyes has even held face-to-face talks with the Ipswich Town striker, who looks almost certain to leave Portman Road in the summer transfer window, following relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Delap has enjoyed a hugely impressive season, despite the demise of his own team, scoring 12 goals in 32 starts in the league, which is three more than any Everton player managed in the competition, with Iliman Ndiaye leading the way with nine strikes.

The 22-year-old stands out as a brilliant option for the Blues with a £30m release clause, considering he is a young striker who should only mature as the years pass, and he should be looked at as the leading choice to come in and lead the line at the club’s new Bramley Moore Dock stadium this summer.

Everton also ready to pay £16.8m for new midfielder

According to a new update from Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Everton are ready to pay £16.8m to sign Lille midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau this summer, having sent scouts to watch him in action in recent weeks.

He is actually valued at £12.6m by the Ligue 1 club, but the Blues are willing to bid higher to get their man, seeing him as another strong option alongside Delap.

Mukau may not be as well-known to Everton fans as Delap, due to him not playing in the Premier League, but he is an exciting young player in his own right.

The 20-year-old has scored twice in six Champions League starts this season, as well as averaging 1.5 tackles per game across 22 matches in Ligue 1 in 2024/25. Meanwhile, Lille head coach Bruno Genesio hasn’t held back in his praise of him, saying:

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“He’s an aggressive player, with a big volume of play, capable of recovering balls from the opponent’s feet. He’s also a forward-thinking player, who can get forward from the first touch and find verticality.”

Lille president Olivier Letang has also described him as a “very likeable lad” with “enormous qualities”, adding that “he burst onto the scene” and “we know his potential and his state of mind.”

Everton could do with fresh blood in the middle of the park, considering Abdoulaye Doucoure is leaving and Idrissa Gueye is now well into his 30s, and Mukau could be a great choice to add into Moyes’ squad.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk confirmed that the Premier League leaders will meet up to watch Arsenal’s home fixture against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, knowing that a surprise defeat for the Gunners would seal the title for the Reds.

Should Mikel Arteta’s side avoid an upset, Liverpool can finish the job themselves on Sunday, against Tottenham Hotspur and surrounded by four sheets of Anfield support, roaring and bellowing and cheering with such volume as has rarely been heard anywhere across the vast footballing landscape.

Surely the more favourable of the two scenarios, the one which will indelibly mark the occasion in the minds of the myriad supporters.

Arne Slot, truly, has worked wonders this season, a shining light to guide Liverpool through the beginnings of a post-Jurgen Klopp world. He will receive his crown, taking a seat at an exclusive table of managers to have won the Premier League on their first attempt.

Managers Who Won Premier League in 1st Season

Season

Manager

Club

2004/05

Jose Mourinho

Chelsea

2009/10

Carlo Ancelotti

Chelsea

2013/14

Manuel Pellegrini

Man City

2016/17

Antonio Conte

Chelsea

Sourced via GIVEMESPORT

Liverpool were supposed to be rudderless, but they have gone from strength to strength with a new head coach and minimal help on the transfer front.

The point is this is to underline that Liverpool are capable of absorbing a big punch and responding with a flurry of their own to prove the doubters wrong.

It’s a quality that may well be called into play again this summer, with some rather big names touted with a summer exit.

Who could be leaving Liverpool this summer

After scoring the winner against Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, Trent Alexander-Arnold did little to allay fears that he will join Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer, refusing to comment on speculation when interviewed post-match.

Though Liverpool are set for a summer of spending, while cutting out some of the deadwood, there’s no question that all of a Liverpool persuasion want the homegrown vice-captain to sign a new deal.

However, that’s not the same for all of Slot’s first-teamers, with Darwin Nunez, for example, confirmed to have been transfer-listed ahead of the market by Fabrizio Romano.

Nunez needs to go, but parting with too many members of the frontline might rock the boat too hard. Indeed, it might be a mistake if FSG were to act on rumours and part with Luis Diaz this summer.

Why Liverpool may regret selling Luis Diaz

Slot won’t want to spark too much upheaval this summer, especially after keeping such a close-knit group together to charge through the many obstacles of the season and move into the final stages of winning the Premier League title.

With Nunez set to be sold and potentially Chiesa too, it might be something of a risk to part with any further members of the frontline, and it’s for that reason that FSG may want to resist any offers for Diaz.

The 28-year-old winger has attracted attention from the Saudi Pro League and from Barcelona in the past and is about to enter the penultimate year of his £55k-per-week contract.

However, discussions for a renewal do not appear advanced.

Saying that, Football Insider have recently reported that sporting director Richard Hughes is preparing to dig deeper into contract talks with the Colombian’s representatives.

He might ebb and flow in front of goal but the left-sided forward is dynamic and direct, such a slippery customer for Premier League and European opponents to deal with.

Liverpool’s Frontline in 24/25 (all comps)

Player

Apps

Goals

Assists

Mohamed Salah

47

32

23

Cody Gakpo

44

16

6

Luis Diaz

46

15

8

Diogo Jota

33

9

4

Darwin Nunez

42

7

7

Federico Chiesa

12

2

2

Data via Transfermarkt

Diaz’s output had lulled in recent months, but he’s not put in a bad shift in front of goal, all told. Indeed, with Mohamed Salah blanking across his past six matches in all competitions, Diaz has stepped up big time in the Premier League, steering Liverpool toward the title.

He’s bagged either a goal or an assist in five of his past six league outings, in fact, with Liverpool winning all but one of such fixtures. That loss, by the way, was against Fulham at Craven Cottage, a game in which Diaz scored off the bench.

He’s also much more than just a goalscorer. As per FBref, Diaz ranks among the top 9% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for pass completion as well as the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 9% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

Of course, the patchiness of his goalscoring form can be deceiving: Lucho also ranks among the top 8% for non-penalty goals scored per 90. Is there any wonder he’s been hailed for his “world-class performances” this year by journalist Adam Brown?

It may well be that parting with Diaz carries every bit the negative impact that Trent’s inevitably will. Liverpool cannot afford to lose the wider nucleus of their title-winning group.

If Liverpool sign a centre-forward who can actually produce significant hauls across multiple seasons, there’s every chance that Diaz could take his game to the next level in 2025/26.

Moreover, Alexander-Arnold’s departure calls for a new playmaking outlet, which will most likely come in the centre of the park.

Plenty to chew on. Whatever happens, Liverpool might want to think twice about parting with their electric South American winger.

Related Nunez upgrade: Liverpool likely to see £50m bid accepted for "mini-Salah"

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Darwin Nunez is expected to leave Liverpool this summer.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 20, 2025

Arsenal had faced newly promoted sides on two occasions already this season and they swept them aside with ease.

Mikel Arteta’s men welcomed Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium in the early knockings of the campaign and sent out a message, dispatching them 5-0.

Last weekend, the Gunners faced Burnley and while they didn’t thrash them, it was another routine win for the league leaders.

So, when they travelled to the final newly promoted side of 2025/26 in the form of Sunderland, Arteta’s side knew they were going to find life a bit tougher.

The Black Cats have been the story of the Premier League season to date and they showcased that on Saturday, battling to an incredibly hard-earned 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal were not at their best but credit where credit is due; Sunderland are a mighty fine team.

What went wrong for Arsenal against Sunderland

The Gunners came into this clash having not conceded a goal for eight games. Their defensive record was remarkable, but it had to come to an end sometime. That time was now.

Regis Le Bris’ team have been phenomenal in the early stages of the new term and demonstrated why they look very unlikely to suffer relegation. In short, they looked like the best collective team the north Londoners have faced all season.

It was a familiar face in the form of Granit Xhaka who helped down his former colleagues but he wasn’t the only ex-Arsenal player on the field to make an impact.

Indeed, former Hale Ender, Dan Ballard, made the most noteworthy impact. He hadn’t played a single first-team game for the Gunners before joining Sunderland in a £2m deal but he’s more than made his mark in the north east.

He scored that last-gasp goal against Coventry City in the Championship play-off semi-finals and has come in clutch again since Le Bris’ men were promoted.

Ballard’s finest game in a Sunderland shirt was reserved for his former employers. It was the colossal centre-back who powered how the game’s opening goal and it was he who supplied Brian Brobbey’s late equaliser.

Arsenal were not at the races in the first half but they did come back fighting in the second period. It was a noticeably better performance from the league leaders who levelled courtesy of Bukayo Saka.

The winger has struggled for form in the early parts of 2025/26 but this was perhaps his finest league display of the season to date. His goal, specifically as it was on his so-called weaker foot, was simply world-class.

Saka had spurned two golden opportunities to score against Burnley a week ago but this was much more like it from the club’s talisman.

Still, as he has been in recent weeks, Saka was upstaged once more by Belgian Leandro Trossard. It looked for all the world as though the winger would exit the club in the summer as Arsenal targeted reinforcements in attack but due to a plethora of injuries has become a vital player again. His strike to put Arteta’s team in front was one of his best since joining from Brighton.

Yet, in very uncharacteristic fashion, the visitors struggled at the back. For both goals, they struggled to clear their lines and the backline didn’t lose one duel but two duels in the build-up to the last-gasp equaliser. Brobbey beat Gabriel Magalhaes to the ball and goalkeeper David Raya was left stranded.

So, the international may break may well have come at just the right time. It will give Arsenal a chance to reset and potentially get some of their injured players back.

Arsenal star lets Arteta down when it counts

For Sunderland, Ballard was imperious. After all, he did have something to prove.

The Gunners never gave him an opportunity to strut his stuff at the Emirates but at the Stadium of Light, he has found a home for himself.

He was dominant, he was colossal and arguably, the best player on the pitch. Truth be told, he outplayed one of the best players in the whole of Europe this season; Gabriel.

The Brazilian has been the glue that has bound everything together for Arsenal and in the words of Jamie Carragher, he has “been the most influential player” in the division.

Well, on Saturday, it was his worst performance of the campaign to date. Handed a 5/10 match rating by GOAL, they lamented the centre-back’s involvement in the equalising goal.

While Gabriel is usually so mean, so fierce in the duel, he was bullied on this occasion and was left to feel rather sorry for himself having tried to win a foul.

Man of the hour, Mr Brobbey, got across the big and tough Brazilian and rather made him look like a schoolboy. Very few attackers can do that to Gabriel but he was outmuscled and left pleading with the referee to give a foul. It was not a foul, Arsenal’s number 6 had just been outplayed “when it mattered most” in the words of Arsenal writer and content creator Jamie Kent.

Gabriel didn’t do much wrong up to that point, but he was rattled in a way we rarely see from one of Arsenal’s standout players.

While the former Lille central defender did win both of his ground duels on the evening, he only won five of his eight aerial battles, suggesting that this was indeed a tougher day at the office.

Minutes played

90

Touches

75

Accurate passes

53/62 (85%)

Key passes

1

Accurate crosses

0/2

Dribbles

0

Shots

0

Possession lost

11x

Ground duels won

2/2

Aerial duels won

5/8

Tackles won

0

Interceptions

0

Recoveries

0

There is not much that the centre-back needs to improve but this was the third instance, all of which have led to goals this season, that have seen Gabriel lose a duel in the build-up to a goal.

He let Erling Haaland turn him too easily during the 1-1 draw with Manchester City a few months ago when the Norwegian scored and Gabriel was also at fault the last time Arsenal conceded prior to the Sunderland game. Coincidentally, that also came in the north east. In a similar fashion, the Brazil international looked to bait a foul from the centre-forward and it simply wasn’t forthcoming.

On that occasion, the towering Nick Woltemade simply battered him out the way and the same could be said of Brobbey on Saturday.

He’s not usually one to shy away from things but on two occasions now he’s let Arsenal down in big moments. He has also delivered some imperious moments this season, but if he does want to be considered the best defender in the land, incidents like this one must be eradicated from his game.

That being said, it does rather say it all that this was Gabriel’s worst performance of the season. He was still pretty rock solid besides that error.

Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, have an impressive-looking top order, but are short of fast-bowling pedigree

Danyal Rasool09-Apr-2025

Karachi Kings

Karachi Kings are in the kind of rut Lahore Qalandars found themselves in during the PSL’s early years. Three successive finishes outside the playoffs have seen their squad go through a bit of an overhaul. Shan Masood has been replaced as captain by David Warner, arguably the marquee signing of the league this year. Kane Williamson, Aamer Jamal and Adam Milne also come in, during a season in which home advantage will be limited; just five games take place at the National Stadium in Karachi across the league.Best result: Champions [2020]2024 finish: FifthStrengths:

• There’s greater variety in Kings’ fast-bowling attack than there was last season, with the extra pace of Milne and the acquisition of the regularly prolific Abbas Afridi.
• The batting line-up boasts experienced international star names, with Tim Seifert’s recent form against Pakistan’s bowling attack a potential point of difference.

Related

• Corbin Bosch banned from PSL for one year for withdrawing from 2025 season

• Can Islamabad United defend their title? Can Multan Sultans go one better?

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• Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars to kick off PSL 2025 on April 11; final on May 18

• Domingo replaces Gough as Lahore Qalandars coach

Weaknesses:

• Kings have a number of players with a large variance between their ceiling and floor. Warner, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Ali, James Vince and Jamal are more explosive than they are consistent, meaning short-term form could decide the Kings’ fate.
• The spin department looks light, with 40-year-old Mohammad Nabi and 36-year-old Zahid Mahmood the only established options.

Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi were among the standout teams in the early years of the competition, winning the title in 2017. Under Daren Sammy’s leadership, this was the side that came to be associated most with the light-hearted joy of the PSL in its honeymoon years, and was instrumental in the return of the league to Pakistan itself. They continue to boast Pakistan’s biggest stars; Babar Azam is the captain, but their explosiveness has been replaced by a middling consistency. Every team has won the PSL since Zalmi last won one, but they remain the only side never to miss out on the playoffs.Babar Azam and Saim Ayub are part of Peshawar Zalmi’s enviable top order•Pakistan Super LeagueBest result: Champions (2017)2024 finish: Second (Lost Eliminator 2)Strengths:

• The top-order batting combination is among the most desirable, featuring in Babar a reliable anchor alongside high-quality power hitters.
• Zalmi boast two local players who come into the tournament in hot form: Saim Ayub, returning from injury, and Sufiyaan Muqeem.

Weaknesses:

• Corbin Bosch’s withdrawal leaves Zalmi short of allrounder options, with Hussain Talat and Maaz Sadaaqat the only available options.
• Aside from Mohammad Ali, Zalmi’s fast-bowling options have little to no PSL pedigree.

Lahore Qalandars

No franchise embraces Pakistan’s all-or-nothing philosophy quite like Lahore Qalandars. Qalandars have the largest fanbase and the most enigmatic journey of all sides. They were the laughing stock in the first four years, finishing bottom each time despite stuffing their side with superstars ranging from Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum. But the pendulum swung violently the other way; they remain the only side to have defended a PSL title, going back to back under Shaheen Afridi before finishing outside the playoff positions once more in 2024. The core of the squad remains unchanged but that doesn’t make anticipating what they do any easier.Can Shaheen Afridi lead Lahore Qalandars back to glory?•AFP/Getty ImagesBest result: Champions (2022, 2023)2024 finish: SixthStrengths:

• A fast-bowling trio of Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan is about as impressive as any PSL side can muster without using up an overseas slot.
• Qalandars were often top heavy in the past, but the presence of Daryl Mitchell, Sikandar Raza, Sam Billings and David Wiese gives them plenty of post-powerplay firepower.

Weaknesses:

• Form and fitness remain concerns for Qalandars’ star players. Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen are in a bit of a rut, while Fakhar Zaman and Zaman Khan have been plagued by recent fitness issues.
• Qalandars haven’t come close to properly replacing Rashid Khan, with Sikandar Raza as close as it comes to a recognised specialist spinner in their squad.

Stina Blackstenius came to the rescue as a beleaguered Arsenal limped to a nervy 2-1 win over Women's Super League basement side Liverpool on Saturday. Former Reds star Olivia Smith banged in a sublime individual goal before Beata Olsson levelled up for a well-earned first-half equaliser. The Gunners were poor for lengthy spells but substitute Blackstenius' quality finish gave the home fans a huge sigh of relief.

Much of the build-up to the game centred on Canada international Smith facing her old side, and, sure enough, the livewire forward gave Arsenal the lead with a 25-yard strike after beating three defenders in the 16th minute. But an all too familiar story played out on the pitch for the Gunners as they failed to grab a second and were punished on the half-hour mark when Olsson tucked the ball home for a relatively soft equaliser. The Swedish forward, who became the first WSL player to score in four of her first five starts, was the home side's tormentor-in-chief as the north London team were second-best for sustained periods. 

England forward Alessia Russo spurned some good opportunities in front of goal as Arsenal regrouped in the second half, and then substitute Stina Blackstenius was denied by some heroic, last-gasp defending by Gemma Evans. But the Swede grabbed the winner three minutes from time when she emphatically whacked a terrific finish into the top corner in front of nearly 35,000 fans. The result sees Arsenal climb up to third in the WSL for the time being, whereas Liverpool are rock bottom.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Anneke Borbe (4/10):

  The pressure was on the keeper on her Arsenal debut but she didn't look convincing in between the sticks. She was flat-footed and didn't get a strong enough hand on the ball to keep out Olsson's goal. Not a good first outing.

  Emily Fox (5/10):

  Got into some dangerous positions but some of her decision-making at important moments wasn't quite good enough.

  Lotte Wubben-Moy (6/10):

  Probably should have given Arsenal an early lead but her header from two yards out somehow hit the post. However, she did make some good recovery tackles.

  Steph Catley (5/10):

  Was undone by Mia Enderby's through ball, but she was well out of position anyway. Her place could now be under threat.

  Taylor Hinds (6/10):

  Fired in some nice crosses into the box against her old team and didn't do much wrong before being taken off.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Frida Maanum (5/10):

  The experienced campaigner didn't do a great deal on and off the ball and was hooked before the hour mark.

  Mariona Caldentey (6/10):

  The Spaniard was one of Arsenal's few lively players in the first half as her creativity and crosses into the box caused problems. But even some of her passing was downright sloppy.

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (5/10):

  Even though she isn't a defender, Cooney-Cross' slack marking allowed Liverpool to draw level – an opportunity they duly took. Not the Aussie's best day.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Beth Mead (5/10):

  The England stalwart provided some dangerous deliveries into the box but was part of an attack that was too cumbersome.

  Alessia Russo (5/10):

  Played with her back to goal on a number of occasions but when she did get into good positions, she wasted some big chances. 

  Olivia Smith (7/10):

  Was able to conjure something out of nothing as Arsenal's lukewarm attack uninspiringly huffed and puffed. Faded as the game wore on.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Caitlin Foord (4/10):

  Initially added a bit more dynamism off the bench but made a right meal out of a golden chance after the hour mark and some of her passing was very shoddy.

  Katie McCabe (6/10):

  Didn't really have much to deal with as Arsenal turned the screw in the second half.

  Stina Blackstenius (7/10):

  The striker was caught offside on too many occasions, with the Swede not needing to make her runs so early. She should have made it 2-1 but wasn't clinical enough when one-on-one with the keeper, but spectacularly took her goal at the end.

  Kim Little (6/10):

  The captain was competent enough when she was introduced. 

  Laia Codina (N/A):

  Had no time to make an impact.

  Renee Slegers (6/10):

  Her second-half substitutes helped wrestle the game's momentum back to Arsenal but she will be worried how her players don't put away teams and have lengthy lulls. 

Celtic’s wait for a European away win is over.

On Thursday night, despite falling behind inside 11 minutes, the Hoops fought back to beat Feyenoord 3-1 at De Kuip; Yang Hyun-jun, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren the scorers on a famous night in Rotterdam.

Before this, the Celts had failed to win any of their last 16 European fixtures on the road, dating back four years.

In fact, since reaching the UEFA Cup Final under Martin O’Neill in 2003, they have won only six times on the continent, excluding qualifiers, enjoying wins over Spartak Moskva, Anderlecht, Rosenborg, Lazio, Ferencváros and now Feyenoord across the last 22 seasons.

In terms of this season, the victory propels the Celts up to 21st in the gigantic Europa League table, a major boost to their hopes of reaching the knockout stages, with games against Roma, Bologna and then Utrecht still to come.

So, which Celtic star looked like an £100m player during this win at De Kuip?

Celtic's new manager latest

Since returning to the club on an interim basis, O’Neill could hardly have done much better.

He has won three Premiership matches out of three, ousted Rangers in the League Cup semi-finals and now claimed a memorable European victory in the Netherlands; the shellacking against Midtjylland in Herning the only blot on his copybook.

Nevertheless, for how much longer will he remain in interim charge?

Well, the 73 year old, alongside Shaun Maloney, will still be at the helm for Sunday’s clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, but could that be the final game of their tenure?

That’s because, according to widespread reports, the club are now in advanced talks with Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy, with some optimistic that the Frenchman could be in place in time for next Wednesday’s clash with Dundee.

Considering they take on current Premiership leaders Hearts and then the side top of Serie A Roma thereafter, the board will be desperate to get Nancy in as quickly as possible.

Assuming the Frenchman was watching Thursday’s win over Feyenoord, potentially while enjoying some Thanksgiving food in Ohio, one player in particular surely will have caught his eye.

Celtic's best player vs Feyenoord

Towards the end of Brendan Rodgers’ tenure, Reo Hatate found himself no longer a guaranteed starter, only on the bench for the Europa League home defeat to Braga, before not getting on at all during a dismal goalless draw with Hibs in September.

Nevertheless, having been made a key figure under O’Neill, he was the star of the show in Rotterdam.

Hatate spectacularly set up Yang’s equaliser before, soon after, coolly slotting home the second, rolling the ball into an unguarded net from long-range after some trademark closing down by Daizen Maeda forced Timon Wellenreuther into a catastrophic error.

Overall, the midfield maestro completed 89% of his passes, took two shots, created one big chance and registered nine ball recoveries, underlining that he was everywhere.

After a 3-3 draw with Rangers at Ibrox last year, Brendan Rodgers asserted that Hatate “gives it away too much for my liking”, labelling him “sloppy’, a sign of his decline in form and importance.

Now though, he is playing at a comparable level to Enzo Fernandez, according to FBref, who note that the players are statistically and stylistically similar among those in their position across Europe.

That is a sign of Hatate’s recent revival, not least with Fernandez having not too long ago been signed by Chelsea for a fee of around £107m from Benfica.

Such a comparison is no unwarranted either, with Hatate arguably putting in his best performance of the season against Feyenoord, while operating in a Fernandez-esque, more advanced midfield berth

Hatate – last 365 days

Stats

Hatate

Non-penalty Goals

0.13

Assists

0.26

Shot-creating actions

2.31

Pass completion

83%

Progressive passes

4.31

Progressive carries

1.16

Successful take-ons

0.77

Tackles

1.28

Interceptions

0.51

via FBref

Meantime, the Japanese star is proving just what a goal threat he is in Europe too, scoring against both Midtjylland and Feyenoord, also registering an assist at De Kuip this week.

Given how impressive Hatate has been since first arriving at Parkhead almost four years ago, it is frankly a surprise that a Premier League club has not come in and poached him.

Celtic supporters will hope that remains the case, with the 28-year-old likely to be a central, undroppable figure when Nancy does finally arrive.

Related As good as Hatate: Celtic flop showed he can be "world class" under Nancy

Celtic beat Feyenoord 3-1 at De Kuip in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, and one player showed his “world class’ potential, as good as Reo Hatate.

Posts ByBen Gray Nov 28, 2025

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections will be held on October 6, the board’s election commission announced on Sunday. The general members body, known as the councillors, will elect 23 of the 25 board directors, and the BCB president will be elected from that pool of 25 to serve a four-year term.The announcement was made less than an hour after former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal accused BCB president Aminul Islam of “interference” in the election process.Tamim, who recently announced he was standing for election, held a press conference in Dhaka along with several other aspirants and former BCB directors. He said Aminul’s signed letter, dated September 18, instructing the country’s sports secretary that he has extended the deadline for nomination submission, was a unilateral decision taken by the board president.”The election commission is in charge since their appointment, which in this case was from September 6,” Tamim said. “The BCB president extended the deadline for nomination submission twice. The deadlines for submitting nominations were first set for September 17. He extended it to September 19, and then September 22. The second extension was signed off by the president himself, which is highly irregular. The BCB’s chief executive is supposed to send out these letters, but he didn’t issue the letter for the second extension. The president signed off the letter.”Tamim alleged the BCB’s constitution was violated when the board representatives from the country’s eight divisions and 64 districts were nominated by an ad-hoc committee, rather than seasoned sports organisers being nominated. “Typically, in districts and divisions, those involved in sports can nominate councillors through the district administration. This has been the practice for many years. But this time, an ad-hoc committee was formed and only its approval would be valid for nominations.”It isn’t mentioned in the BCB’s constitution. Moreover, we have seen people being removed from or added to the ad-hoc committee at will. If elections are conducted this way, it is no longer an election but a selection. Elections should be open and fair for everyone.”Tamim urged the authorities to respect the original councillors’ list. “I hope that those declared as councillors on September 17 remain unchanged. There should be no modifications. Cricket must remain for everyone – not for a specific person or group. I hope the election is impartial and free from interference.”According to the election schedule, the draft voter list will be published on September 22, followed by the final list on September 25.The election will have three categories. In the first, ten directors will be elected from the divisions and districts in the country. In the second category, 12 directors will be elected from the representatives of the Dhaka clubs. In the third category, one director will be elected from a pool of former cricketers, national captains, security forces, and councillors nominated by the National Sports Council. The Bangladesh government will also select two directors to sit on the board.

Bumrah could have been the difference, but he wasn’t in the end. Instead, it was in the lengths and the Pujara model that the series was won and lost

Sidharth Monga11-Jan-2025High seam and low bounce proved to be the ideal combination for India in Perth. They could stick to bowling their 6-8-metre good length and still hit the stumps with it. Australia went with their traditional 5-7-metre good-length band, getting driven and then going too short in reaction. Even though Australia bowled India out for 150 on the first morning, they bowled 35 balls fuller than the 5-metre mark, conceding 20% of that total.Either India learned from what they watched or they just stuck to their natural good lengths, which turned out to be the best for these conditions. Australia were at the stumps less frequently than once in two overs; India attacked the wicket once every over. Eight of the 18 wickets India’s fast bowlers took were either bowled or lbw.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();