Saqib Mahmood has been forced to miss an England training camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of their white-ball series in India due to a delay in securing his visa. The ECB expects that the issue will be resolved before the rest of the team travel to Kolkata on Friday ahead of Wednesday’s first T20I but the delay is a familiar issue for England players with Pakistani heritage.Last year, Shoaib Bashir was ruled out of England’s first Test in Hyderabad due to a delay in securing his visa. Six years ago, Mahmood was replaced in an England Lions squad to tour India following hold-ups in the visa process, and eventually opted not to apply for one ahead of Lancashire’s pre-season tour last year, anticipating a similar issue.The ECB declined to comment but is understood to be optimistic that Mahmood will secure his visa in time to board the team’s flight. The two other players in England’s T20I squad with Pakistani heritage, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, are understood to have received their visas already.Mahmood was due to join Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood at a pace-bowling camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of the India tour, which is being overseen by James Anderson in his capacity as a fast-bowling consultant. But he has been required to surrender his passport as part of the visa process, and was therefore unable to travel.Mahmood, 27, has played 29 games for England across formats but his progress stalled after his Test debut in 2022 due to consecutive lower-back stress fractures. He reminded England’s selectors of his ability with a match-winning spell in the Hundred final in 2024, before he was named player of the series during England’s T20Is in the Caribbean in November.
Summers like this are not the norm for Arsenal Football Club.
Aside from 2023, when Declan Rice joined the club, it’s hard to think of very many windows in which the Gunners went out with such conviction to secure their targets.
There are still just under two weeks until the window slams shut and Mikel Arteta has a new starting number nine, a new number six who was courted by some of the biggest clubs in the game, and four more signings to dramatically improve the bench.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka,Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera,Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi,Arsenal's Noni Madueke,Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri andArsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly line up
Moreover, if that somehow wasn’t enough, the North Londoners are now closing in on Eberechi Eze and have been linked with another youngster who could have just as much potential.
Arsenal target youngster who could be as good as Eze
It’s been quite a dramatic summer of transfers so far this year, but we don’t think anything is going to quite top what happened on Wednesday night.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
With the Arsenal fanbase still coming to terms with the news that Kai Havertz had suffered another injury, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Berta and Co had gone back in for Eze, despite Tottenham Hotspur agreeing personal terms.
Then, within just a couple of hours, the move was given the Fabrizio Romano ‘here we go’ treatment.
It’s the sort of transfer that could change the club’s season, and yet, it looks like the North Londoners want to make at least one more signing.
At least that is according to a recent report from French outlet L’Equipe, which has claimed Arsenal are interested in Malick Fofana.
The report has revealed that the Gunners are eyeing a move for the Ivorian international, and that while Lyon do not want to sell, they may have to due to their perilous financial position.
With the winger valued at €40m, which is about £35m, it wouldn’t be a cheap deal for Arsenal, but given Fofana’s ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could have as much potential as Eze once did.
Why Fofana could be as good as Eze
Now, we aren’t suggesting that Fofana is as good or as complete as Eze is at the moment, but there are more than a few indications that he could become as brilliant in the future.
Lyon's Malick Fofana and Said Benrahma celebrate.
The first is his output for Lyon last season.
In 41 appearances, totalling 2280 minutes, the “game-changing” prospect, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, scored 11 goals and provided six assists.
That means that the 20-year-old was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 2.41 games, or every 134.11 minutes, which would be impressive for a seasoned veteran, let alone someone his age.
Moreover, he’s already picked up where he left off, as he provided the assist in Lyon’s one-nil win over RC Lens on the weekend.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
The second reason we reckon the young Belgian could be an Eze-esque star in the making is the fact that his underlying numbers are nothing short of remarkable.
According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for percentage of shots on target and goals per shot, the top 3% for progressive carries, the top 6% for carries into the final third, the top 7% for crosses into the penlaty area and more, all per 90.
Shots on Target %
55.8%
Top 1%
Goals/Shot
0.26
Top 1%
Progressive Carries
6.60
Top 3%
Carries into Final Third
3.28
Top 6%
Crosses into Penalty Area
0.62
Top 7%
Progressive Carrying Distance
150.50
Top 9%
Non-Penalty Goals
0.46
Top 11%
Carries into Penalty Area
2.41
Top 14%
Goals
0.46
Top 15%
In other words, the dynamic winger is elite at bringing the ball up the pitch and into dangerous attacking areas, while also having a brilliant cross on him – sound like anyone else?
Finally, even though the Aalst-born gem is primarily a left-winger, he is more than comfortable playing off the right, or deeper, in wide midfield positions, which would give Arteta more tactical flexibility.
Belgium'sMalickFofanain action with Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Ultimately, Fofana is already an excellent attacker, but with his output, underlying numbers and ability to play in more than one position, he could end up being as good as Eze one day.
Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to bring him to the Emirates before the window slams shut next month.
The new Havertz: Arsenal weighing up late move to sign £80m star after Eze
The big-money star could be just what Arsenal need following Kai Havertz’s injury.
Birmingham City are finally underway in the Championship as the many twists and turns of the 2025/26 season now lie ahead.
The Blues will ambitiously be aiming for back-to-back promotions all the way up to the Premier League, after making League One look like a breeze when clinching the third-tier title with a record-breaking 111 points.
Marvin Duckschin action for Werder Bremen.
Marvin Ducksch will be hoping he can play a pivotal role in Birmingham achieving this unthinkable feat, as the German attempts to acclimatise to his new English surroundings swiftly, having been a prolific performer in his native Bundesliga for some time now.
What Ducksch can offer Birmingham
Birmingham often gets their own way in the chaotic transfer window, having previously flexed their muscles by picking up ex-Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi for a whopping £10m earlier this summer.
However, that wasn’t the case, unfortunately, when it came to chasing after the coveted signature of Chuba Akpom, as Ipswich Town stole the signature of the ex-Arsenal striker off Birmingham at the final hour.
Thankfully, the reigning League One champions had the now ex-Werder Bremen attacker up their sleeve as a back-up plan, having snapped up the shot-heavy 31-year-old following his £1.7m move.
He should be a hit in the English game with his imposing 6-foot-2 frame and his clinical eye for goal, as seen in Ducksch tallying up a lethal 54 strikes for Bremen across 134 games, on top of chipping in with a high 40 assists.
Fellow new faces such as Demarai Gray will surely love linking up with the unselfish forward, therefore, with the 31-year-old just fresh off a Bundesliga campaign that saw him create a stunning 17 big chances in total.
But, if the Dortmund-born striker fancies elevating his output in terms of goals in the West Midlands, he will want some inch-perfect service, which could come his way if Chris Davies’ men can seal a deal for this playmaker to also join the building.
The "quality" talent who is perfect for Ducksch
After all, if there is a move out there that can take the Bundesliga goal machine’s game to that next level in England, Birmingham should go all out to try and seal the deal.
Ducksch’s perfect partner in attack could well be Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell, as Birmingham have been tipped to go back in for their former loanee multiple times across this hectic window to date.
Kieran Dowell
No such move has whirred into motion yet, unfortunately, but after a lacklustre opening day performance under Russell Martin in Scotland, with possession haphazardly given away 12 times versus Motherwell, the ex-Southampton boss might now be more willing to listen to the Blues’ advances.
Whilst the £16k-per-week ace has been regularly hit-and-miss at Ibrox, Dowell has proven himself to be a classy performer in the EFL in the past, particularly when carving out consistent opportunities for his attacking teammates to latch onto.
Dowell’s career numbers in the Championship
Stat
Dowell
Games played
123
Goals scored
26
Assists
12
Big chances created
25
Stats by Sofascore
Indeed, it’s clear from the table above that Dowell’s strengths – when previously playing in the Championship – lie in his ability to fashion chances for his charitable teammates, with a standout 25 big chances created on his end from 123 career encounters in the tough division.
He also has a promising 26 goals next to his name, meaning he could step into the goalscoring limelight if Ducksch was suffering from an off-day, having also been branded as a “high-quality” star last season by Davies when amassing five goals and five assists from just 23 Blues appearances on loan.
Having such a creative force by his side will be music to the ears of Ducksch, who has also been showered with similarly high praise when being labelled as a talent capable of making “special moments” happen by former Bremen boss Ole Werner.
This really could be a devastating combo in the Championship, with their efforts combined potentially pulling the Blues into the promotion spots.
Bigger talent than Akpom: Birmingham City plot move for "fearless" PL ace
Birmingham City could sign a bigger talent than Chuba Akpom by winning the services of this Premier League starlet.
Birmingham City and Chris Davies are now looking at signing an ex-Barcelona gem before the transfer deadline.
Birmingham City suffer shock EFL Cup defeat to Port Vale
The Blues were knocked out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening following a surprise 1-0 defeat to League One side Port Vale.
Jaheim Headley netted the only goal of the game, with Davies ringing the changes at St Andrew’s. Phil Neumann was the only player to keep his place in the side from the Championship victory over Oxford United, and talking after the game, the Blues boss said his side’s “normal rhythm and intensity” wasn’t there.
Attention quickly turns back to the league, with a trip to Leicester City on Friday evening, and behind the scenes, the club are also looking for one more signing before Monday’s transfer deadline.
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Former Aston Villa midfielder thinks this will be a good transfer for inter-city rivals.
ByCallum Kemp Aug 21, 2025 Birmingham City looking to sign ex-Barcelona gem Mikayil Faye
According to Give Me Sport, the 11th and final Birmingham signing of the summer could be Rennes defender Mikayil Faye.
Capable of playing as a centre-back or as a left-back, Faye is someone who ‘fulfils the main criteria for the Blues’, with the club looking for someone who can cover for injured left-back Alex Cochrane.
Faye, formerly of Barcelona, had a €400m (£345m) release clause in his Nou Camp contract but signed for the Ligue 1 side on a permanent basis in 2024.
Since then, the Senegal international has made 12 senior appearances for Rennes, mainly as a centre-back.
Still just 21 years of age, Faye could be targeted over the coming days, however, GMS also state that Birmingham have alternative targets in mind.
Celtic are in a strange position heading into the final few days of the summer transfer window, having just been knocked out of the Champions League.
The Hoops may have been hoping to have the extra funds to target bigger signings before the deadline, but they may have to find other ways to raise money for new additions, including cashing in on their current stars.
According to Anthony Joseph, Adam Idah had a medical at Swansea on Friday ahead of a £7m move to Wales, 12 months on from his £9.5m switch to Celtic from Norwich.
Allowing the Ireland international to move on, though, could provide the Scottish Premiership champions with a chance to reinvest in Brendan Rodgers’ squad in the next few days.
Celtic preparing bid for new winger
Whilst Idah’s exit will create the need for a new striker to arrive at Parkhead, the Scottish giants are also looking to bring in another winger on top of Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are still pursuing a last-gasp deal to sign Hammarby forward Sebastian Tounekti.
The reporter claims that the Hoops have made a second offer for the winger after they already had a first proposal of around £2.6m turned down by the Swedish side.
He reveals that the Scottish giants have offered a deal worth up to £4.7m for the wing wizard, who is said to be valued at £5m, and it remains to be seen what their answer will be.
The winger was recently quoted saying: “You get to know some of what’s going on and I’ve heard that there’s interest. Of course it’s great that a big club (Celtic) that often plays in the Champions League wants me. It’s a top club in Europe. It’s great that there’s that kind of interest and it shows that you’ve done something good.”
What Tounekti could bring to Celtic
One player who could benefit from the club getting a deal over the line for the Swedish attacker is Daizen Maeda, who could love the creative forward.
The Japan international scored a staggering 33 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions last season, per Transfermarkt, but his only goal in six outings this term came against Falkirk in the League Cup.
Tounekti predominantly plays on the left wing and could free Maeda up to play through the middle as a striker, particularly with Idah’s impending exit, and the 23-year-old star has the creative quality to be a dream for the current Celtic marksman.
Goals
2
Top 37%
Chances created
22
Top 16%
Dribbles completed
41
Top 3%
Pass accuracy
85%
Top 15%
xA
4.53
Top 3%
Assists
5
Top 9%
In 19 league starts this year, as you can see in the table above, the £3m-rated attacker has been one of the most creative players in his home country’s top-flight.
These statistics suggest that he has the potential to be an incredibly creative figure out wide for Celtic, as a player who can consistently beat opposition players as a dribbler whilst also creating high-quality chances for his teammates on a regular basis.
This is why Maeda, who has yet to replicate his goalscoring exploits from last season, may love to play alongside Tounekti at Parkhead this season for the Hoops.
The Celtic target could be the creative spark out wide that Maeda needs to rediscover his shooting boots and hit the goal trail on a regular basis for Rodgers once again, which is why this is a potentially exciting signing for the club for multiple reasons.
Worse than Idah: Rodgers must drop Celtic star who lost the ball 20 times
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers must drop this flop who was even worse than Adam Idah against Kairat.
لا تزال الشكوك تحيط بموقف الحارس الألماني مارك تير شتيجن وموقفه من المشاركة في كأس العالم القادمة مع منتخب الماكينات بسبب وضعه مع برشلونة.
وكان توماس كروث مستشار المنتخب الألماني والذي يفضل الاعتماد على مانويل نوير عن تير شتيجن قد تحدث عن رأيه حول الجدل الدائر بشأن حارس برشلونة.
وقال كروث في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “إذا قدمت إجابة واضحة الآن سيفتح ذلك باب من المشاكل، إذا رأى ناجليسمان مشكلة في هذا المركز وطلب منه اللعب، فإن مانويل نوير لن يرفض العودة”.
أقرأ أيضاً.. برشلونة يضع الكرة في ملعب تير شتيجن وينتظر رده بشأن مستقبله
وعلى الرغم من إعلان مانويل نوير اعتزاله اللعب الدولي بعد كأس الأمم الأوروبية 2024 مباشرة إلا أن أدائه المتميز في الدوري الألماني وتحقيقه أعلى نسبة تصديات تصل إلى 78.6%، يعزز احتمالية عودته للمنتخب علاوة على ذلك إصابة تير شتيجن.
ويواجه تير شتيجن عائقا في برشلونة بعد عودته من الإصابة يتمثل في اعتماد وثقة هانز فليك في حارسه الجديد خوان جارسيا المصاب حالياً كحارس أساسي لشباك برشلونة.
وكان باومان حارس مرمى منتخب ألمانيا قد حرس مرمى المنتخب ضد سلوفاكيا في التوقف الدولي الماضي ولكنه يفتقد لثقة زملائه الدفاعيين، وخسر المانشافت هذه المباراة مما يهدد حظوظها في التأهل لكأس العالم.
وقال لاعب خط الوسط ألكسندر بافلوفيتش بعد نهاية هذه المباراة: “من يدري؟ مازالنا نريد نوير في حراسة المرمى، إنه حارس مرمى من الطراز العالمي لكن القرار يعود للمدرب”.
Xabi Alonso believes Franco Mastantuono has the Real Madrid "gene" as the manager waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old's bright start since his summer transfer from River Plate. Madrid’s swoop for Mastantuono had been in the works for months. They agreed a deal but had to bide their time until the wonderkid turned 18. Once the birthday candles were blown out, the six-year contract was sealed, tying him to the Bernabeu until 2031.
Argentine wonderkid takes Madrid by storm
Snatched from River in a blockbuster €45 million ($53m/£39m) deal, Mastantuono has wasted no time announcing himself on the biggest stage. In La Liga, he has already found the net against Levante, becoming the fourth youngest player ever to score for Los Blancos. In Europe, he’s broken records too: the youngest starter in Madrid’s glittering Champions League history, surpassing Endrick’s previous benchmark. For a teenager fresh from South America, the speed of his rise has been nothing short of breathtaking.
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Madrid "gene" that sets him apart
Ahead of the Madrid derby, Alonso hailed the impact of Mastantuono and said: "Franco has a lot going for him. He's only 18 years old. The adaptation has been very good. I love how competitive he is. He has a lot of energy. Then we have to get him in order. But that competitive gene is fundamental to our team. We're going to enjoy it. We have everyone ready. Everyone has recovered well. There's no injury or anything. We'll decide tomorrow."
The Messi link
Mastantuono's CV already reads like a fairy tale. He was the youngest player ever to pull on the Argentina shirt, making his debut at just 17 years and 296 days. Earlier this month, he even wore the sacred No.10 in Lionel Messi’s absence, a shirt that carries the weight of a nation.
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The big derby test
All eyes now turn to the Metropolitano, where Madrid face cross-city rivals Atletico this Saturday. Diego Simeone’s side are floundering, but derbies in this city are never a dull affair. For Mastantuono, it’s a chance to prove he can handle the intensity of Madrid’s fiercest battle. And should he sparkle in the cauldron of a derby, the hype will explode to even greater heights.
England captain says keeper’s new role gives him chance to “really impact the game” against Australia
Danyal Rasool21-Feb-20255:44
Knight questions idea of Root, Buttler coming down the order
When the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was rebuilt over the past few months at breakneck speed, the PCB may have envisioned it opening with cricket’s most ferociously rivalry, but cricket’s oldest rivalry will have to do instead. With Pakistan not guaranteed a game at this venue at all, there was no other game here with greater demand for tickets than England vs Australia, where the winners of the last two ODI World Cups kick off their Champions Trophy campaigns.This, however, is not going to be a battle of two current white-ball titans. Neither side starts off this tournament a picture of ODI health, and it is how they address – or, more pertinently, conceal – their weaknesses that may be most consequential to the outcome. England have lost 16 of their last 23 ODIs in a run stretching back to the 2023 World Cup, while Australia have come up second best in six of the last eight games. They are further hampered by injuries and high-profile withdrawals: none of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh or Marcus Stoinis are part of Australia’s squad.After something of a horror ODI series against India, England’s most significant tactical move may be something of a defensive ploy masquerading as aggression. Announcing their starting XI two days out from the game, they revealed wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will bat at No. 3 for the first time in his international career.”We just feel it’s a nice position to give him a free hit to try and really impact the game, make that that top three really dynamic,” Jos Buttler, England’s captain, said. “Jamie’s someone with incredible talent and taken to international cricket so well that we feel he’s got the game there and can place him in that position to try and have a really big impact with a number of guys behind him.”Related
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It’s the closing bit of that statement, perhaps, that unearths a more rounded reason for what, if England’s recent history is anything to go by, is an on-brand punt. Against India, England’s more established middle order was especially vulnerable to collapses against India’s spinners in the middle overs.While a calf injury ruled Smith out of that series, his ability against spin in Pakistan was best showcased in the longest format. October’s third Test in Rawalpindi was over on the third morning on an excessively spin-friendly wicket; Pakistan did not bowl a ball of seam and all 20 England wickets fell to the spinners.But with England on the ropes at 118 for 6, it was Smith who launched a remarkable counter-attack, hitting five fours and six sixes in a 119-ball 89 to allow England to rack up 267. It included an astonishing takedown of Pakistan’s premier offspinner Sajid Khan, scoring 61 runs at a run a ball against him without giving away his wicket.England’s batting reshuffle will see Smith (right) at No. 3 with Root at No. 4•Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images”He’s obviously got the game technically and tactically, but I think the head on his shoulders seems to be one of the biggest strengths,” Buttler said. “Nothing seems to faze him too much: I think you could ask him to bat anywhere in the line-up and it wouldn’t faze him. We feel it gives him a nice position to try and really impact the game, make some big runs, and put some pressure on the opposition.”It means Joe Root, Harry Brook and Buttler himself slot down the order, spreading England’s quality through the middle overs and – theoretically at least – inoculating against the sort of collapses that characterised their white-ball tour of India. The cynical view would term this a rearranging of the deckchairs in the absence of more wholesale changes, but on these wickets against the arguably less challenging task of negotiating Australia’s spinners, Buttler had reason for guarded optimism.”I think the conditions will be different here [to what] they were in India,” he said. “Everywhere you go around the world has its own nuances and different conditions. We’ve got lots of guys who’ve played in Pakistan before, guys who’ve played in the PSL, so [they’ll be] sharing those experiences. And then every day in a game of cricket, you’ve got to turn up and assess conditions and play accordingly and work on that.”And unlike the febrile partisanship that can take hold of these occasions when these two sides play each other home or away, this time around, they’ll find themselves greeted by a crowd who doubted they’d see this fixture played here, and are simply glad that it is. At least, for those lucky few who managed to secure tickets.
Lancashire officials have played down the idea that Manchester Originals could be seen as a consolation prize by the RPSG Group, who are finalising a deal for 70% stake in the franchise after missing out on a minority share in London Spirit.Lancashire shortlisted four bidders with links to IPL franchises, though Reliance, the owners of Mumbai Indians, were removed when they won the auction for a stake in Oval Invincibles. The RPSG Group – who run Lucknow Super Giants – eventually saw off competition from Kolkata Knight Riders and Amit Jain, whose bid involved a cricketing partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.The auction for Originals took place three days after the RPSG Group had missed out on London Spirit, the Lord’s-based franchise, in a three-hour bidding war with a Silicon Valley tech consortium. They were the final bidders remaining as Spirit’s valuation reached an eye-watering £295 million, and instead secured Originals at a valuation of £116m.Related
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Lancashire have stressed that the RPSG Group had been their preferred partner for a significant period of time, and RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka has insisted his commitment to “developing a deep bond” with the club, saying he sees “huge potential” in the partnership.”Lord’s is Lord’s, but Manchester is Manchester,” Shashwat Goenka, Sanjiv’s son and the group’s vice-chairman, said at a launch event at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday. “While we did bid aggressively for Lord’s, we stopped at a point and I’m extremely happy with Manchester. We’ve been delighted with our interactions with Lancashire and I’m very excited with this partnership.”James Sheridan, Originals’ chair, played down the significance of the failed bids in London. “It doesn’t concern us,” he said. “We’ve had some amazing conversations… I was actually on the phone to one of Shashwat’s colleagues the minute after the auction finished in London. We’re not concerned. We’ve got 100 percent, total confidence that RPSG is in the right place.”ESPNcricinfo revealed last year that officials from the RPSG Group had visited Manchester during the Hundred, while Lancashire also sent a delegation to Kolkata – where RPSG is based – last year. “The team from Lucknow have just been exemplary from a partnership approach, right from day one,” Sheridan said. “We have got a fantastic partner that we can build something very special with.”Lancashire opted to sell part of their stake in Originals but will retain 30% and plan to include a reserved matters provision – effectively a set of veto rights – while drawing up contracts over the next six weeks. They will use their windfall of more than £30 million to pay down their debt and invest in infrastructure projects, including the development of a second home venue in Farington, near Preston.Daniel Gidney, Lancashire’s chief executive, believes that new investment will eventually help Originals compete with Manchester’s two Premier League football clubs. “We’ve talked about Manchester being probably the UK’s number one sporting city… We want the Manchester franchise in the Hundred to become the third-biggest sports team in Manchester and challenge those two [United and City].Sheridan and Gidney speak to the press•Lancashire CCC
“That is the scale and level of the ambition of both of us as partners… This is something that is incredibly exciting for us and that is why we wanted to partner with an IPL team and we always have done. You’ve got a 1.4 billion population of people who adore cricket: why wouldn’t we want to inject a bit of that energy and passion into Manchester and Lancashire?”The two parties did not confirm as much but it is widely expected that the franchise will be renamed Manchester Super Giants from 2026, following the lead of the Lucknow and Durban teams in the IPL and SA20 respectively. The RPSG Group also own Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata-based football club who play in the Indian Super League.LSG reached the play-offs in their first two IPL seasons before missing out on net run-rate last year, and spent a record INR 27 crore (£2.54m approx.) on Rishabh Pant at November’s auction. The arrival of four IPL owners in the Hundred has led to speculation that Indian men’s players could feature in future, but that appears unlikely in the short term.”If you could get Rishabh Pant playing in the Hundred, you’d have a lot more eyeballs on what’s going on,” Sheridan said. “But we all know that the BCCI doesn’t allow that to happen at the moment… I don’t think that is likely to change anytime soon.” Goenka added: “Where Indian players play and don’t play is the prerogative of the BCCI.”Phil Salt and Beth Mooney, who have both been retained for 2025, said that the partnership will benefit Originals. “There’s definitely a new level for this tournament to find,” Salt said. “At the inception of the IPL, their ambition was to bring the world’s best tournament that we’ve ever seen… We sit here today knowing full well that our ambition is to bring the world’s best cricket to Manchester.”Mooney, speaking from Vadodara shortly before playing for Gujarat Giants, added: “The IPL changed the landscape of men’s cricket, and we’re seeing that starting to happen with the WPL heading into its third season… The exciting part of the Hundred is that it’s only going to get bigger and better.”
She replaces Healy in the role, who has been ruled out due to a stress injury in her right foot
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2025
Deepti Sharma has been a consistent performer for Warriorz in the WPL•BCCI
UP Warriorz have named Deepti Sharma as their captain for WPL 2025. The announcement comes after their regular captain Alyssa Healy was ruled out of the tournament due to a stress injury in her right foot.Agra-born Deepti has been one of the more consistent players for Warriorz. She is their second-highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets in 17 games, and their third-highest run-scorer with 385 runs in 16 innings.Deepti had a bumper WPL 2024 although Warriorz failed to make it to the playoffs. She scored 295 runs in eight innings with a strike rate of 136.57 and an average of 98.33. She also picked ten wickets at an economy rate of 7.23.Related
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Deepti has previous captaincy experience too, having led Bengal in domestic cricket, and East Zone in the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal One Day Trophy in 2024. She had also led Velocity in the Women’s T20 Challenge in 2022.”I am delighted and honoured to be named captain of the UP Warriorz, which is a team from my home state,” Deepti was quoted via a release. “The UP Warriorz has a fantastic squad, and we are confident that we will entertain our fans with the Warriorz brand of cricket, at the WPL this season as well. We can’t wait to play in Lucknow in front of our home fans, and hope to inspire the next generation of women athletes.”Warriorz will, however, sorely miss Healy, who is their highest run-scorer in the WPL, with 428 runs in 17 outings. Healy has had a frustrating time with injuries in recent times. She missed the T20I leg of the Women’s Ashes recently, and only made it to the MCG Test after passing a late fitness test. However, Healy did not keep wicket.In October 2024, Healy had ruptured her plantar fascia in her foot at the T20 World Cup, which saw her miss Australia’s final group match and the semi-final against South Africa. She also suffered a knee injury during the WBBL 2024-25. Warriorz have called up West Indies allrounder Chinnelle Henry as Healy’s replacement for the season.Warriorz start their third season against Gujarat Giants on February 16 in Vadodara. This is also the first season where they will play a few games in front of their home crowd in Lucknow.