تحدث أحمد حسن كوكا، مهاجم الاتفاق السعودي، عن وجود مفاوضات بينه وبين الأهلي وبيراميدز وموقفه من منتخب مصر.

وقال أحمد حسن كوكا، عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “الدوري السعودي به منافسة كبيرة وقوي جدًا واختلف بعد انضمام رونالدو، النصر يسير بشكل جيد جدًا وأعتقد هو المرشح الأول للتتويج بالدوري ومعه الهلال”.

طالع.. أول رد فعل من اتحاد الكرة على أزمة رمضان صبحي

وواصل: “بخصوص التفاوض مع الأهلي وبيراميدز قبل الانضمام إلى الاتفاق السعودي، كان يوجد كلام ولكن الأمور لم تسر بشكل سريع، وكان يوجد عرض أن أعود لفرنسا مرة أخرى، ولكن الاتفاق تحدث بجدية والموضوع انتهى بشكل سريع”.

وأكمل: “حسام حسن فور توليه القيادة الفنية لمنتخب مصر، أرى أنني خارج حساباته وهذا قراره واحترمه وليس لي أن أتحدث فيه”.

واستطرد: “يوجد تواصل بيني وبين محمد صلاح ونحن أصدقاء جدًا، ونتحدث في كل شيء ويوجد أشياء لا ينفع أن اتحدث عنها، ولكن شيء طبيعي أنه لا يكون غير سعيد الفترة الحالية مع ليفربول والأمور غير جيدة”.

Newcastle United have not been afraid to splash the cash since PIF took over the club just over four years ago. T

hey have well and truly backed Eddie Howe, smashing the club transfer record twice by signing Alexander Isak and his replacement this summer, Nick Woltemade.

The Magpies have added depth in other areas of the pitch too. Out wide, Anthony Gordon and his namesake Anthony Elanga were two notable reinforcements who cost £45m and £55m respectively. At the back, they have signed the likes of Sven Botman and Tino Livramento, building a strong defence for the present and future.

However, it is in midfield where the signings have really felt substantial, with Bruno Guimaraes one of the notable names.

The numbers behind Bruno Guimaraes impact at Newcastle

At 27 years of age, Guimaraes is entering his peak years. The Brazilian joined the Magpies back in January 2022 from Lyon for a fee of £35m. He’s since gone on to rack up 167 appearances for the North East side.

This season, the 39-cap Brazil star has shone in the middle of the park. He has three goals and three assists in 13 games, which included one of each against Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 Premier League win.

In terms of his quality on the ball, one of Guimaraes’ standout traits is his carrying ability. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League when it comes to progressing the ball from the middle third to the final third, averaging 0.5 carries into the penalty box per game during 2025/26. That places him in the top 8% of top-flight midfielders.

However, it is not just the quality on the ball Guimaraes brings. He is an excellent leader, having captained the Magpies 12 times out of the 13 games he’s played. That in itself highlights what he brings to Howe’s squad.

As good as Guimaraes is, there is a case to be made that Newcastle have a better midfielder.

Newcastle's best signing of the PIF era

Howe is certainly not short of options in the middle of the park. The Englishman has Guimaraes as one of his first-choice midfielders, but can also pick from Joelinton, summer signing Jacob Ramsey and homegrown star Lewis Miley.

However, the best of the bunch must surely be Sandro Tonali. The Italian has been at Newcastle since the summer of 2023 and has amassed 69 appearances in that famous Black and White striped shirt so far.

Since his return at the start of last season, he has been sensational. The former AC Milan midfielder has become a key man in the centre of the park for Howe, forming a quite brilliant midfield pivot with Guimaraes.

He has certainly become one of the best players in the current Magpies side. In fact, Taylor Payne, host of Newcastle fan podcast On The Tyne, said he is “the best midfield player to ever pull on a black and white shirt.”

It is easy to see why Payne and every other Newcastle fan rate him so highly. The 29-cap Azzurri star is brilliant both in and out of possession. He is a pressing monster, as shown by this clip from last season.

On top of that, he has some standout numbers. This season, has created 1.8 chances per game, showing his impact in the final third. Last term, he averaged 6.1 ball recoveries per 90 minutes.

Tonali key stats from last 2 PL seasons
Stat (per 90)	2024/25	2025/26)
Chances created	0.9	1.8
Forward passes	14	17.8
Take-ons completed	0.7	0.7
Duels won	4.6	3.5
Ball recoveries	6.1	4
Stats from Squawka

Tonali, who earns £120k per week at St James’ Park, has been a revelation in midfield for the Magpies. He is a man whom Howe can trust on and off the ball, and is surely one of the most complete midfielders around.

It is easy to see how he has become the best signing since the PIF takeover four years ago. Tonali is certainly a brilliant operator in the middle of the park.

Saved by Woltemade: Newcastle star is looking like 2023 Gordon under Howe

This Newcastle recruit has not hit the ground running in Eddie Howe’s team.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 30, 2025

Aston Villa have successfully tied down star attacker Morgan Rogers to a new contract as they ward off Chelsea's transfer interest. Rogers, who moved to Villa Park at the start of 2024 and won the PFA Young Player of the Season this August, has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal. Rogers had attracted interest from the Blues, while Spurs were also urged to sign the youngster at one point in the summer.

• Rogers signs new Aston Villa contract

  After a very successful time with the Villans last season, where he scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions and also won the PFA Young Player of the Season, Rogers has endured a difficult start to the 2025-26 campaign, having scored just one goal and registering three assists. However, despite his dip in form, Villa decided to present the youngster with a new long-term deal, which will keep him at the club until 2031.

  The 23-year-old agreed to the Villans' terms and has finally put pen to paper on the new contract, thereby ruling out the imminent possibility of joining other top English sides like Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Aston Villa delighted to tie Rogers down to a new deal

  The official statement from Aston Villa read: "Aston Villa is delighted to announce that Morgan Rogers has signed a new contract with the club. The England international has agreed a deal that will keep him at Villa until 2031. Rogers signed for the club in February 2024 from Middlesbrough and has become a key member of Unai Emery's side, earning a debut for the Three Lions in November 2024. His stellar performances last term saw his peers vote him PFA Young Player of the Season."

• Chelsea and Spurs wanted Rogers

  In April this year, reports emerged that Chelsea were plotting a summer move for Rogers, who is known to be a close friend of their star player Cole Palmer, after the youngster's impressive performances throughout the 2024-25 season. It was further reported that the Villans might be forced to sell the forward to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The Blues, however, never formally approached Aston Villa over a possible transfer.

  Spurs, too, had identified Rogers as a possible candidate they could sign in the summer after losing Eberechi Eze to arch-rivals Arsenal. However, the north London club eventually signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

  Rogers had even hinted in August that he could exit Villa Park as he had told : "I’m happy here [Aston Villa]. I love football. I love nothing more than just coming out on the pitch and playing football and that’s what I’m doing. I don’t think about anything else. I can’t predict the next 12 months or anything in the future. It’s just about playing football, enjoying my football and showing everyone what I can do."

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• Getty
  

  Rogers eyeing spot in Tuchel's World Cup squad

  Despite a slow start for the club, Rogers has consistently made it into Thomas Tuchel's England squads in the last few international breaks and has also garnered praise from the German. After the Three Lions' 3-0 win over Wales last month, Tuchel said: "Morgan was excellent like the whole team, he's very humble, he's very physical. He has the ability to score and to assist. He had a fantastic season (in 2024-25) and was deservedly voted as the young player of the season in the Premier League. Morgan was one piece of the puzzle but it is a team effort. Morgan is what he is. He is a number 10 and he is competing for his place."

  Rogers will hope to maintain his consistency for the Three Lions and book a place in Tuchel's final World Cup squad that will travel to North America next summer.

Liverpool had defeated Real Madrid 1-0. It wasn’t spectacular. It was gritty and to their credit, Arne Slot’s side were by far the best team on the field.

Not bad for a team supposedly in a mini-crisis. Coming into this game, the Reds had won just two of their last eight games in all competitions.

So, are they back? Quite possibly. One man who was indeed back at Anfield was Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Merseysider, Liverpool’s great son, was welcomed home to his city of birth to a chorus of boos. His exit still stings, of course it does, and the fanbase will have achieved a sense of great comfort from seeing him suffer defeat on Tuesday evening.

Being interviewed on Prime Video post-game, skipper Virgil van Dijk was asked by Theo Walcott if he had spoken to Trent or had any desire to meet with him. The colossal Dutchman had an emphatic one-word response: “No.” Each to their own, eh, Virgil?

Trent's Anfield return in numbers

It wasn’t a great surprise to see Alexander-Arnold named among the subs for Tuesday’s encounter.

Trent is a fine right-back but hasn’t set the world alight after moving to Madrid over the summer. The defender was initially set to move on a free transfer but as Real aimed to push a move through before the Club World Cup, Liverpool ended up getting £10m for him.

Money well spent? Arguably not. The 27-year-old has battled with a hamstring injury in the embryonic stages of his Madrid career, playing just 14 minutes in this season’s Champions League and starting only twice in LaLiga.

It’s not the start Trent will have wanted and the last thing he probably needed was a return to Liverpool.

Fede Valverde started ahead of him at right-back on the night but with nine minutes remaining the Reds academy graduate finally got his chance to play at Anfield again.

While some did applaud, for the most part, he was met with a series of boos. Who can blame them?

As Xabi Alonso’s men tried desperately to score an equaliser, their efforts were ultimately in vain as Trent failed to inspire the European giants to a point.

After coming on, Alexander-Arnold managed just ten touches of the ball and was only able to complete six of his eight passes. His only cross was inaccurate and he didn’t manage a key pass.

Minutes played

9

Touches

10

Accurate passes

6/8 (75%)

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

0/1

Dribbles

0

Possession lost

3x

Shots

0

Tackles

0

Interceptions

0

Clearances

1

He had limited minutes, of course, but it was far from the heroic involvement we were used to seeing from the England international during his days in red.

As it happens, he was completely outshone by fellow right-back Conor Bradley. In the words of content creator, George Scaife, the Northern Irishman’s display was “the best performance by a Liverpool player this season” having locked down one of the best wingers in the world in the form of Vinicius Junior.

Yet, it’s not Bradley who is more closely evoking memories of Trent this term.

Liverpool's summer signing is suffering from the Alexander-Arnold treatment

In the bigger picture, Alexander-Arnold’s time in England must be celebrated. He is one of the most iconic right-backs the Premier League has ever seen.

He scored 23 goals and racked up a rather mind-boggling tally of 92 assists from defence. There have been very few like him in the modern era.

Trent was very much one of the pioneers of the modern full-back. Creative, attacking and possessing the ability to invert into midfield, he offered a great deal to both Jurgen Klopp and Slot. Except, he was always a little bit suspect defensively.

While Bradley dealt with Kylian Mbappe and Vini Jr with ease on Tuesday, on the contrary, Liverpool’s great Liverpudlian has struggled in games like these before.

Remember the quarter-final in 2021? It was Trent’s mistake that led to Marco Asensio scoring. The final in 2022? On that occasion, the full-back allowed Vini to ghost behind him and find the net.

While some of his defending was pretty inexcusable during his time at Liverpool, the threat he carried in the final third and from set-pieces always rescued him. He was a special player.

Yet, 2024/25 was a tough one as he geared up for his move to Madrid. Trent did feature in 49 matches across all competitions but he only completed 13 full 90 minutes in his 33 league outings.

Slot regularly withdrew him early from games and once it got towards the end of his time in England, he didn’t get much of a look in.

During Liverpool’s last six fixtures in the Premier League, he featured for a combined 220 minutes of the 540 that were played.

While the defender had suffered from a late-season ankle injury, his defending also hadn’t improved. After Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United back in January, Roy Keane was brutal with his criticism: “There’s talk about him going to Real Madrid, the way he’s defending he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He’s got to do better.”

Well, in 2025/26, it would appear as though summer arrival Milos Kerkez is also suffering from a bout of Trent-itis.

Last season he was hailed as “one of the best left-backs in world football” by Troy Deeney and few would have disputed that claim.

The Hungarian was a rampaging threat on the left-hand side of the Bournemouth side, ending the campaign with two goals and six assists.

Like Trent, he’s got a wicked delivery in him. He’s a great creator of chances. Yet, also like Trent, he’s suspect defensively and has been found out since his big £40m move in the summer.

Not one to mince his words, Gary Neville was particularly scathing of the full-back in October, saying: “The left back hasn’t settled in. He plays like a 10-year-old; he is all over the place.” Harsh but you’d certainly expect better of a player who cost as much as he did.

As such, Kerkez has been in and out of the team much like Trent was last season. Like Alexander-Arnold, Slot cannot trust him, particularly in the big games. Indeed, against Man United, Jamie Redknapp described the defender as a “nervous wreck”, constantly hassled by Bryan Mbeumo.

Consequently, the former Cherries full-back has completed 90 minutes on just five of his nine league starts and now finds himself out of the team. Andy Robertson has started the last two games and Liverpool have won both. That is surely no coincidence.

Kerkez will no doubt come good in a Reds shirt. He was electric for Andoni Iraola’s side last campaign but he is going to have to eradicate his haphazard defending if he is to make it at Anfield.

If he doesn’t, then he can expect further Trent-like treatment in the months to come. An unreliable figure who’s excellent in attack but suspect at the back.

England had previously struggled for early wickets under Buttler’s captaincy, but they have been prolific with the new ball in the Caribbean this time

Cameron Ponsonby15-Nov-2024England are being good at something they were bad at.Powerplay wickets had become a rare breed for Jos Buttler’s men. During the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, they were the only team to go wicketless in the first six overs in multiple matches. In their last six T20Is against Test nations before this series, they had taken six powerplay wickets in total. But in three outings against the West Indies, Saqib Mahmood alone has taken eight. It is the most by an England bowler in any series in T20I history.It is hard to gauge fully whether England have fallen on this by luck or judgement. Hop the other side of the fence and West Indies are lamenting their biggest weakness are the same top-order collapses England are claiming credit for. In six of their last seven matches, West Indies have lost two or more wickets in the first six overs.Related

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• Mahmood sets tone again, before Curran and Livingstone steer chase

If the old wives tale of T20 cricket remains true, losing three wickets in the powerplay leads to a loss, then West Indies have ticked that box in all three matches across this series. On Thursday in Gros Islet, just to make sure, they lost five.”We know we are stroke players and come out aggressively,” said West Indies skipper Rovman Powell after the game. “But that little element of being smart was missing.”What England have settled on, however, is a method of all out attack in the first six overs. Only when Reece Topley was forced off the field by an injury, with Jamie Overton subbing in for two balls, have England made a bowling change in the powerplay this series. Other than that, either Mahmood and Topley or Mahmood and Archer have bowled through the powerplay unchanged as England seek to eke out any and all movement that they can find with the white ball. T20 might be a batters’ game, but it’s bowlers who win you matches.

“You always have that fear of failure a little bit more. Whereas with this series I’ve [felt] like it’s my own spot, and I can express myself and always look to take the aggressive option instead of trying to play it safe … It’s probably the best I’ve felt in an England shirt”Saqib Mahmood

Mahmood’s partnership with either Topley or Archer has seen two bowlers of contrasting styles complement each other. Coming into this series, Mahmood had been working on his away swing, knowing that if he could get the ball moving away from the right-hander, he would be in pole position to take the new ball alongside either Topley or Archer who both naturally move the bowl into the right-hander.”It was nice to show that I can also swing the ball,” Mahmood said earlier in the week. “I always hear people saying that I am just a seam bowler.”Three beneficial tosses have fallen their way and they have capitalised, but England have been presented with different challenges. The second T20 was plug and play. The ball was moving around corners, so England hunted for wickets and found them.In St Lucia, however, the same wasn’t true. There wasn’t prodigious movement and despite the low scores mustered by either side, the consensus was that the wicket was playing true.”I know I got man-of-the-match,” Mahmood said sheepishly, “but I thought it was a pretty good wicket.”Forced to mix things up, England combined data and feel to reduce West Indies to a heap before the match had even begun.Bowling to Evin Lewis, Mahmood asked Buttler to bring deep third into the ring, but was rebuffed. “One more ball,” Buttler said, before Lewis was duly caught top edging a pull the very next delivery.Then, while bowling to Shimron Hetymer and attacking the stumps, Buttler suggested a short-ball following a conversation he’d had with the analyst. Next ball, he was caught at deep square leg. On each occasion, Mahmood gestured to Buttler in his celebrations.”I told him he might as well tell me where to bowl every ball,” Mahmood joked.As an individual, Mahmood is benefitting from the feeling of belonging in an XI where he had otherwise always felt he was just keeping a seat warm. His performances in the Caribbean have been so definitive it’s hard to imagine him being dislodged in the T20 set-up even when players like Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse are available again.Saqib Mahmood took nine wickets in the first three matches of the series•AFP/Getty Images”You always have that fear of failure a little bit more,” he explains. “Whereas with this series I’ve [felt] like it’s my own spot, and I can express myself and always look to take the aggressive option instead of trying to play it safe … It’s probably the best I’ve felt in an England shirt.”Mahmood has taken nine wickets this series compared to Archer’s two, but they come as a pair. The two are close friends who have both suffered from serious injuries in recent years. Often rehabbing together, a goal they shared was to one day open the bowling together for England. It’s four years ago they were first in an international squad together, but it was only this summer when they walked out in the same match together.Their success means England have been able to play on showboat mode. Today, England employed a short leg, two slips and left cover open during the powerplay. Buttler, captaining with a smile and under the lid at bat pad, has been embracing his new era of captaincy. And while winning undoubtedly makes the smile easier to come by, it’s rubbing off on the rest of the team.”His captaincy has been amazing,” Mahmood said of his skipper. “I’ve really enjoyed it.”Even at the death the other day, he kind of just left me to it. And I quite like that, you just get left to what you want to do, and you think clearly. He’s one of the best players in the world and to have him back in your XI and lead from the front, he’s been great.”Earlier this year, the Caribbean had been the scene of arguably Buttler’s lowest point as captain, but between Mahmood and Archer, his two quicks may have solved one of his problems and kickstarted the new era.

AC Milan have now reportedly dropped their price for Rafael Leao, with Arsenal now preparing to accelerate their interest to sign the impressive Portuguese winger.

The Gunners couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the Premier League campaign, but their recent run of clean sheets finally came to an end against Sunderland.

After over 13 hours, David Raya finally picked the ball out the back of his own net courtesy of Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard. And like London buses, when one arrived, another soon followed with the Black Cats netting a last-gasp equaliser through Brian Brobbey.

Slipping up for the first time since drawing against Manchester City at the end of September, Arsenal’s recent run of form has been nothing short of excellent.

Speaking about the draw at full-time, Mikel Arteta told reporters: “The last feeling is disappointment and frustration because we wanted the three points. We had to navigate through a really tough game, we knew that. It was very disruptive; we have to deal with situations that are difficult to deal with.

“They did really well and we conceded a goal that is not in our standards, but after that I think the team reacted really well, showed a lot of personality and courage.

“They scored the first goal, they scored the second goal, we had totally dominated the game and then you have to rely on defending the box when they start to commit six or seven players there.”

Up next, Arsenal have the small matter of the North London derby in a game that represents the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways. It also represents the start of an all-important week, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich following the Tottenham Hotspur clash over a seven-day period after the international break.

It’s the type of period that Arsenal’s stars are made for and the type that Leao could soon get the chance to enjoy following the latest transfer reports.

Arsenal accelerate Leao move after learning latest discount

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now ready to accelerate their move to sign Leao after AC Milan dropped their price tag to around €85m (£75m) from the winger’s €150m release clause.

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Milan’s hierarchy is reportedly preparing for the possibility that negotiations between Leao and themselves over a new contract could yet stall and have adjusted their price tag as a result. As things stand, the Portugal international has until 2028 until his current contract runs out, but Milan’s updated stance suggests that he may not see out the final three years of that deal.

Minutes

453

681

Goals

4

3

Assists

1

0

Successful Take-ons

5

17

When compared to Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s interest in Leao begins to make sense. On the opposite flank to the England international, the Milan star has already been involved in five league goals in just 453 minutes this season – the same as around five games.

Described as “crazy” by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in 2023, Leao is a star who’s ready to take the Premier League and The Emirates by storm.

5/10 Arsenal star had his worst game all season against Sunderland

While they haven’t been perfect, Arsenal have been far and away the best team in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side are sitting four points clear of second place, and while the attack is yet to click fully, the rest of the team have been exceptional.

One of the standout stars, as was the case last year and the season before that, has been Declan Rice.

The England international has been a difference maker on more than one occasion so far, and so fans should be delighted about reports linking Arsenal to someone who could be another Rice-type signing.

Arsenal target another Declan Rice

There are a few stars in contention for Arsenal’s Player of the Season thus far, and Rice is undoubtedly one of them.

Transfer Focus

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On top of becoming even more of an attacking threat in that left-eight position he moved into last season, the former West Ham United captain has shown more of that defensive steel he was famous for, dropping into a double pivot on several occasions with Martin Zubimendi.

So with the Englishman thriving in all phases of play, it’s not a surprise to see Arsenal moving for another player of his ilk, an international star in the making: Adam Wharton.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims the Gunners are one of several sides keen to sign the Crystal Palace star.

The report has revealed that, alongside the North Londoners, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are racing to sign the 21-year-old, while Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on the situation.

However, on top of beating out the competition, the Gunners will have to stump up around £100m to tempt the Eagles into selling the jewel in their crown.

With all that said, Wharton’s immense ability and potential make him a player worth pushing the boat out for, particularly after an impressive first start for his country during November’s international break.

Why Wharton would be another Rice for Arsenal

Described as “the best U21 player in the Prem” by one analyst, if Arsenal were to bring Wharton to the Emirates in January, it would be another example of them poaching a highly rated central midfielder from another Premier League side.

Moreover, they would once again be taking a non-big six London-based outfit’s best English central midfielder.

Finally, it would be the second time within a three-year period that the North Londoners spend north of £100m to do so.

Now, beyond what would make the deals so similar, what makes the Palace ace analogous to the former West Ham star?

Well, like his older compatriot was at the time of his move, the 21-year-old ace is very highly rated, with former Sky Sports employee Matthew Stanger labelling him a “generational talent” and one CONCACAF B certified coach dubbing him “the best deep-lying English midfielder since Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.”

While that is indeed supreme praise, it’s easy to see where it has come from, as much like the 72-capped England star, he is capable of doing more than just sitting deep and shielding the back four.

For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 4% for key passes, the top 5% for through balls, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, and more, all per 90 minutes.

Key Passes

2.07

Top 4%

Through Balls

0.58

Top 5%

Expected Assists

0.22

Top 6%

Inswinging Corner Kicks

1.29

Top 7%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.75

Top 10%

Crosses into Penalty Area

0.26

Top 13%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.39

Top 17%

Crosses

2.78

Top 18%

Additionally, he has already won three senior caps for the Three Lions, and played a pivotal role in the Eagles winning the FA Cup last season – the first major honour in their history.

Ultimately, it is still early in his career, but Wharton looks to be a superstar in the making, and under someone like Arteta, could develop into another Rice-type monster.

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ByBen Gray Nov 16, 2025

Tamim Iqbal is standing for election himself; new BCB president will serve four-year term

Mohammad Isam21-Sep-2025The 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.

India’s batting order will be of interest given all the shuffling they have done so far

Sidharth Monga25-Sep-20255:02

Aaron to India: Don’t chop and change batting line-up

Big picture: Who will bat where for India?The last time India and Sri Lanka faced each other in international cricket, Sri Lanka defended their home turf like wounded lions to blank India out in an animated ODI series. Now, though, they come up against each other in an Asia Cup dead rubber with Sri Lanka already knocked out and an unbeaten India already in the final.Related

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However, with India seemingly playing roulette with their batting order, there is always anticipation to see what the box of chocolates throws up next. In India’s previous dead rubber, against Oman, Sanju Samson was promoted to No. 3 and Suryakumar Yadav didn’t bat at all even though India lost eight wickets. In their last match, Sanju Samson didn’t get to bat even though India lost six wickets.There must be some method to what Suryakumar and coach Gautam Gambhir are doing, but the pundits on the outside haven’t been able to figure it out. What happens next is anyone’s guess.Sri Lanka have been on the receiving end of a fickle format. There hasn’t been much separating the three teams other than India in the Super Fours. Sri Lanka have lost both their tosses, and have just not been able to post winning totals. Against India, they will need more than the toss to go their way.Form guideIndia WWWWW (last five T20Is, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLWWWSri Lanka will hope to end a disappointing Super Fours stage with a consolation win•Asian Cricket Council

In the spotlight: Abhishek Sharma and Wanindu HasarangaOne change India will not want to make is rest Abhishek Sharma and halt the almighty momentum he has on his side. He has 248 runs in this Asia Cup at better than two a ball. He has twice threatened to get to a century. You don’t ask a batter on such a roll to rest.Wanindu Hasaranga has gone for less than a run a ball through this tournament, and will relish bowling against a top line-up on a slow Dubai track. Especially outside the powerplay.Team news: All eyes on India’s reservesLike they did against Oman in the first round, there is a good chance India will experiment on Friday. Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma remain the only ones in the squad who haven’t got a game. It remains to be seen if India throw them into the mix. Playing Jitesh doesn’t necessarily mean leaving out Sanju Samson, who needs time in the middle before the final.India (probable): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Sanju Samson (wk), 5 Rinku Singh/Jitesh Sharma, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Arshdeep Singh.Sri Lanka haven’t quite found their ideal combination through the tournament, but wholesale changes won’t make sense either. They could perhaps look to get Kamil Mishara in for Chamika Karunaratne.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Charith Asalanka (capt.), 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne/ Kamil Mishara, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Nuwan Thushara.Pitch and conditionsAs the tournament progresses, scoring quickly keeps getting harder. The powerplay, and what the set batters can do outside of it, remains critical.Stats and trivia India and Sri Lanka have have faced each other in Dubai once previously. It was in the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup back in 2022. Sri Lanka won the toss, inserted India, and won by six wickets. Hardik Pandya needs three wickets to become the second India bowler after Arshdeep Singh to 100 in T20Is.

Manchester United are now making a strong move to sign Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra in the January transfer window, with a £44m January bid planned.

Signing a new midfielder is of key significance to Man United, not least because speculation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford continues to build, with it recently being revealed the England international is in talks to leave this winter.

That is despite the fact Ruben Amorim has made it clear he wants to keep hold of the youngster, saying: “I want Kobbie to stay, and he needs to fight for his place. We need Kobbie. That is not going to change.”

However, Amorim has been extremely reluctant to give Mainoo a consistent run in the team, with the 20-year-old featuring for just 138 minutes across seven Premier League appearances this season, having failed to dislodge Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the starting XI.

With the academy graduate now in advanced talks over a move to Napoli, the Red Devils have now set out to bring in a new central midfielder in the January transfer window.

Man Utd making strong move to sign Javi Guerra

According to a report from Spain, Man United are now making a strong move to sign Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra in the January transfer window, and INEOS clearly mean business, with a €50m (£44m) offer being plotted.

Guerra, who has a €100m (£88m) release clause in his contract, could be available for a much lower fee this winter, given his inconsistent performances for Valencia this season, and United are now weighing up a winter approach.

However, there are several obstacles to overcome, with the Spanish club currently reluctant to sanction a departure, while Amorim would also have to offer the central midfielder regular game time in order to lure him to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are determined to get a deal over the line, and it is clear to see why, with the Spaniard impressing for Valencia over a sustained period of time, having received high praise from scout Jacek Kulig during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 22-year-old has remained a key player for the Spanish side this season, making 12 La Liga appearances, during which time he’s amassed two assists, although some of the maestro’s most recent performances suggest it would be a gamble for United to pursue a deal.

Indeed, as pointed out in the report, Guerra hasn’t been at his best as of late, receiving a 6.2 SofaScore match rating in Valencia’s 2-0 home defeat against Villarreal last month, which led to him being dropped for the following match against Real Madrid.

As such, it may be a wise idea for Man United to target a midfielder who has already proven himself in the Premier League, and a club-record bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is now being prepared…

How much Man Utd are willing to spend on Carlos Baleba Related How much Man Utd are ready to spend on Carlos Baleba with new talks now open

What a signing he could be for the Red Devils.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Nov 4, 2025