Afghanistan will be topping up their Test-match experience in double quick time by facing Sri Lanka and Ireland in February 2024.With most of the focus on the two limited-overs formats, Afghanistan ended up playing just one Test match over a better part of the last three years. Now, however, they’ve found space in the calendar and have announced two separate all-format series taking place between February 2 and March 18.The busy period begins with their first-ever Test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, which will then be followed by three ODIs and three T20Is. Seven days after the end of their tour of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan will be in the UAE hosting Ireland for a one-off Test match between February 28 and March 3. This series also includes a limited-overs leg as Afghanistan build towards the next T20 World Cup due to take place in the West Indies and the USA in June.Afghanistan’s tour of Sri Lanka was always going to feature a Test match and three T20Is. “The addition of these three ODIs,” ACB chief Mirwais Ashraf said, “is a significant move to ensure a complete and comprehensive tour which not only provides good exposure to Afghanistan Cricket but will also foster stronger relations between the two nations. Playing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is always tricky but is a challenge that Afghan Atalan can easily embrace.”Prior to all this, Afghanistan will play their first-ever bilateral series against India this month and their chief executive Naseeb Khan was hopeful that all these games would set the team up for the challenges ahead. “The upcoming tours of India, Sri Lanka, and then the home series against Ireland will help us to prepare the team for the much-important T20 World Cup. Eagerly looking for the multiple series upfront.”Along with announcing schedules for these tours, the ACB also modified the sanctions that they placed on Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi for wanting to forego their national contracts. All three players were initially barred from playing in any T20 leagues for the next two years but now the board has had a change of heart.

Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka

February 2-6, 2024 One-Off Test, Colombo
February 9, 2024, 1st ODI, Colombo
February 11, 2024, 2nd ODI, Colombo
February 14, 2024, 3rd ODI, Colombo
February 17, 2024, 1st T20I, Dambulla
February 19, 2024, 2nd T20I, Dambulla
February 21, 2024, 3rd T20I, Dambulla

Afghanistan vs Ireland in the UAE

February 28-March 3, 2024 One-Off Test, Abu Dhabi
March 7, 2024, 1st ODI, Sharjah
March 9, 2024, 2nd ODI, Sharjah
March 12, 2024, 3rd ODI, Sharjah
March 15, 2024, 1st T20I, Sharjah
March 17, 2024 2nd T20I, Sharjah
March 18, 2024, 3rd T20I Sharjah

“Drawing is maybe as big as a loss for us,” the opener said ahead of his final Test, where he will also be standing in as captain

Firdose Moonda02-Jan-2024Dean Elgar likened the emotions of a Test series victory to winning a World Cup, while recognising that he has never played in one of the latter.”I only play the game to win,” Elgar said on the eve of his final Test. “I don’t care about stats. I care about wins. I care about series wins. That’s the greatest memories you can ever share with your team, everyone that has got an influential role in the background. Test series wins – you don’t top that. Maybe a World Cup win is up there. I have never had that opportunity but this is my World Cup. This is my arena where I want to win.”Elgar’s career will end this week with 86 Test caps and with him as one of only eight South Africans to have scored more than 5000 runs in Test cricket. He is 167 runs away from catching Mark Boucher, who is seventh on the list and will equal Herbie Taylor, with 18 Tests as captain, the fifth-most by a South African. While the runs are something Elgar hopes to reflect on in the future, being asked to lead the side, 11 months after being stood down from the captaincy because of an injury to regular skipper Temba Bavuma, is among Elgar’s proudest achievements.Related

Classy Elgar unveils a new dimension in farewell series

Jubilant South Africa put their name up in lights

Test's the best for David Bedingham as Newlands dream awaits

“I don’t think you get a bigger accolade or bigger credit than to be asked to captain. I did it in the past for a year-and-a-half or whatever it was and it has been the best learning experience for me as an individual – not just from a cricketing point of view but off-field stuff,” he said. “I give my 100% whether I am playing or captaining and I am going to have that mentality going into this game. For me, it’s about showing the right ways for the younger players and hopefully that catches on.”Playing against India, the team Elgar led South Africa to a 2-1 win against in the 2021-22 summer, holds extra meaning for him. “There’s no bigger honour than to captain your country irrespective of who you are playing against but being against India adds more flavour. India is the powerhouse nation in the world and we are in a situation where I can influence and try to get a 2-nil win.”

“It’s a massive Test for us, being our highlighted Test of the year. The New Year’s Test at Newlands, they don’t get much bigger and better, against really tough opposition.”Dean Elgar

Though South Africa’s innings win at SuperSport Park last week means that they cannot lose the series, Elgar does not want them to settle for that. Instead, he wants them to adopt a mindset that this is a series they should not share, because it will be played at home and with the final match at many of the players’ favourite venue: Newlands.”We are in a fortunate position knowing that we can’t lose the series but drawing is maybe as big as a loss for us,” he said. “It’s a massive Test for us, being our highlighted Test of the year. The New Year’s Test at Newlands, they don’t get much bigger and better, against really tough opposition. Playing the New Year’s Test is big for guys and they are going to have a lot of firsts so we want them to just live in that moment but be mindful of the opportunity of winning 2-nil. Drawing the series is not something we are thinking about at all.”This is South Africa’s first series of the 2023-2025 WTC, during which they will only play two-Test series and will not face England or Australia at all. The dearth of fixtures was believed to be part of the reason Elgar chose to retire, despite his 185 in the Boxing Day Test suggesting he still has much to offer, and though he did not confirm that, he also made it clear he will not be changing his mind. “One thing people need to understand is that I made my decision long ago,” he said. “A couple of months ago, I chose this to be my last series, irrespective of what is happening behind the scenes. I made my bed and I am sleeping in it quite nicely.”

Federico Chiesa has not been included in Liverpool’s 29-man squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, raising fresh questions about his future at Anfield. The Italy international, who struggled to break into Arne Slot’s plans last season, was a surprise omission despite scoring in a 5-0 friendly win over Stoke City just hours before the squad departed.

Chiesa left out of 29-man Liverpool tour squadMinor issue cited as reason for omissionSerie A links resurface amid uncertain futureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chiesa was left out of Liverpool’s travelling party to Hong Kong and Japan, with Arne Slot selecting 29 players for the Asian tour. The 27-year-old winger, signed from Juventus last summer, has not found a regular role under the Dutch manager. Despite a goal against Stoke in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday, Chiesa has been left behind in England.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE EXPLANATION

reports that Chiesa’s omission is down to a minor issue currently being assessed by the club’s medical staff. The decision appears precautionary, though it comes at a time when his standing in the squad is already uncertain. He was involved in training before the squad left for the tour on Sunday evening but ultimately did not travel.

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Chiesa’s absence has further fuelled speculation linking him with a return to Serie A. Napoli and other Italian clubs have shown interest, and his lack of minutes last season hasn’t gone unnoticed. The former Juventus star has said he’d like to stay, but Liverpool may be preparing for a summer sale.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CHIESA?

Chiesa will continue light training at the AXA Training Centre while his condition is monitored. Meanwhile, talks around a possible transfer could gain momentum as clubs finalise their summer plans. Liverpool are yet to confirm whether he will rejoin the squad later in pre-season or move on to pastures new.

MatériaMais Notícias

O elenco do Internacional pode sofrer algumas baixas para a próxima temporada e o volante Johnny é uma dessas peças.

Na Itália para retirar o seu passaporte europeu, o meio-campista foi procurado pelo Spezia para atuar no charmoso calcio.

Segundo a publicação do ge, um encontro dos dirigentes do clube italiano com os empresários do jogador deve ocorrer nos próximos dias.

Internacional

De longe, o Colorado acompanha todas as especulações em torno do atleta e garante que não foi procurado por ninguém.

Inicialmente, o plano do Internacional é manter Johnny e dar ao técnico Mano Menezes outras peças para fortalecer o grupo.

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Louis Saha has claimed former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo deserves a £1 billion-a-week salary for his service to football.

• Ronaldo making staggering salary at Al-Nassr
• Saha claims Portugal international deserves more
• Ballon d'Or winner's longevity is "amazing"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo has been playing in Saudi Arabia since 2023 following his departure from United after a second stint at Old Trafford. He is one of a number of high-profile stars earning a lucrative wage in the Middle East, though he is yet to win the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr and there was speculation over his future before he committed to the club earlier in the summer.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  His performances away from Europe have attracted praise from former team-mate Saha, who took the opportunity to scold United's current squad for their dismal performances in recent seasons. The Red Devils are attempting to overhaul their playing roster but have so far only signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Paraguayan youngster Diego Leon.

• WHAT SAHA SAID

  Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League betting, Saha said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is an ambassador for football in Saudi Arabia and he has attracted so many high quality and young players out there. 

  "Ronaldo deserves his new contract because even at his age he has stayed at the top and proved that in the games he has played recently. 

  "It’s an amazing achievement and he deserves his new deal, he would probably deserve a billion a week for what he has done for football in society. 

  "He is 40 but he works like he is 25 with his passion, it’s unbelievable. He has a legacy in the Middle East and in the world in general, he deserves the contract more than any other player in the world, no athlete has done that.

  "He understands the impact of his name and I really respect what he's done and what he's doing and what he's trying to achieve. 

  "He still wants to be at his best and what he is doing at his age is incredible, Manchester United have players that are 25 and acting like they’re 40, he is the opposite."

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• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  United are still looking to force through some transfer dealings before the start of the 2025-26 campaign. The move for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo is still trundling along, while there is also said to be interest in Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso.

كشفت تقارير إعلامية اليوم الخميس، أن نجم نادي ريال مدريد الجديد، فرانكو ماستانتونو، كان على وشك الانتقال إلى أحد الأندية في الدوري الألماني في بداية العام الحالي.

وتمكن ريال مدريد من التوصل إلى اتفاق نهائي مع ريفر بلايت يقضي بالتعاقد مع ماستانتونو هذا الصيف، في صفقة كلفت خزائن النادي الملكي حوالي 45 مليون يورو وبعقد طويل الأمد.

طالع .. ماستانتونو يستفز جماهير ريال مدريد ويختار أفضل لاعب في العالم

وذكرت صحيفة ذا أثلتيك، أن مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو، حاول ضم جلب ماستانتونو، ولكن عندما كان يشرف على الإدارة الفنية لنادي باير ليفركوزن.

وأكدت، أن ليفركوزن كان ينوي ضم ماستانتونو خلال شهر يناير من العام الحالي، إلى جانب عدد من الأندية الأخرى التي كانت تسعى وراء جلب الدولي الأرجنتيني.

وأوضحت أن ريال مدريد على الرغم من عدم دخوله المفاوضات مع ريفر بلايت مبكرًا بشأن ضم ماستانتونو، إلا أن الأخير كان ينتظر الفريق الملكي منذ البداية.

وأردفت أن فور علم ماستانتونو برغبة ريال مدريد في ضمه لم يعطي الكلمة لأي نادي وحقق حلمه في النهاية بالتوقيع مع الميرنجي.

ماستانتونو تم تقديمه كلاعب جديد في صفوف ريال مدريد اليوم الخميس، حيث سيرتدي اللاعب القميص رقم 30 مع اللوس بلانكوس.

Strikers will travel to the Gold Coast and face Brisbane Heat in the Challenger on Monday

Tristan Lavalette20-Jan-2024

Legspinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce starred on the traditional pace-friendly Optus Stadium surface as Adelaide Strikers ended Perth Scorchers’ historic bid for a hat-trick of BBL titles with an upset victory in the knockout final.Strikers will travel to the Gold Coast and face Brisbane Heat in the Challenger on Monday, with the winner to meet Sydney Sixers in the final at the SCG.It was a remarkable turnaround for Strikers, who were in big trouble at 48 for 4 before a hard-hitting 56 off 32 balls from Jake Weatherald ignited a comeback.Strikers then superbly defended 155 for 7 with Boyce and Pope combining for seven wickets, including stars Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis, to stun Scorchers.It was a shock exit for Scorchers, who had a late-season fadeout after losing to Sixers in a last-ball defeat that cost them second spot and the double chance.Scorchers and Western Australia had swept all six domestic titles over the last two seasons. But they could not stop red-hot Strikers, who defied the absences of ILT20-bound Chris Lynn, Adam Hose and allrounder Jamie Overton.After being sent in, Strikers’ hopes of setting a big target rested with skipper Matthew Short who was coming off scoring the most-ever runs in a 10-game regular season. He had also blasted Scorchers for a pair of 70s during the season. But it was his namesake D’Arcy Short who came out blazing before falling to a brilliant return catch from left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff.Matthew Short looked in ominous form when he whacked a short delivery from speedster Lance Morris to the boundary. Something special was needed to dismiss Short cheaply and veteran seamer Andrew Tye stepped up with a gem of an inswinging yorker that rattled the stumps.Strikers were seemingly shaken by the dismissal with Thomas Kelly struggling to score in the overs before drinks. In an inspired move, Hardie reverted to left-arm spinning allrounder Cooper Connolly who hadn’t bowled in Scorchers’ last three matches.Connolly justified the faith by dismissing Kelly before Hardie brilliantly ran out Harry Nielsen with a direct throw from mid-on to leave Strikers in ruins at 48 for 4.Jake Weatherald counter-attacked with a quick fifty•Getty Images

Veteran Weatherald has grabbed his opportunities since being a late-season inclusion and dominated after drinks. He used his feet superbly against left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, whose home struggles continued in contrast to his miserly bowling on slower surfaces on the east coast.Weatherald raced to his half-century in 30 balls, but fell shortly after when he failed to execute a reverse scoop against Hardie, who then dismissed James Bazley to put Scorchers well on top.But their death bowling woes against Sixers reared with Strikers smashing 45 runs off the last five overs. Ben Manenti, who in recent seasons has been a thorn to Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, and Henry Thornton effectively threw the bat as Strikers finished with a competitive total.Strikers’ strong attack sensed an opportunity against a revamped Scorchers opening partnership of Sam Fanning and Marcus Harris, who were both late-season signings.Debutant Fanning started with a fearless approach to continually bludgeon through the offside. Fanning, 23, made a duck against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield in his only innings in domestic cricket this season. But he had entered with a century in local grade cricket and carried over that form with an assault on the new-ball, where he cracked two sixes off left-arm seamer David Payne in the fourth over.Fanning overshadowed Harris, who played sedately in his first innings since being overlooked for Australia’s Test team. It appeared like a fairytale was unfolding until Fanning holed out in the fifth over after scoring 31 of Scorchers’ first 38 runs.But it triggered a collapse of 4 for 10 capped by Hardie being clean bowled by Pope, who bowled well in tandem with Boyce in the middle overs.The pressure fell on Inglis, who plays aggressively against spin but he succumbed to a rampant Boyce as Scorchers crashed to 70 for 5 in the 12th over.Boyce was pumped up and Strikers were further buoyed when skipper Short took a spectacular diving return catch to dismiss Nick Hobson. Strikers were on fire as Bazley took a tough juggling catch on the boundary to snare Connolly to leave Scorchers’ faithful stunned and quickly heading for the exit.

Visitors face stiff final day of batting after being set a target in excess of 400

ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2024Glamorgan pulled in front on day three of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire after they posted 361 for seven declared to set a target of 401 for the visitors.The mainstay for Glamorgan was Chris Cooke who finished on 126 not out, by far the highest score of this match so far. He was well supported by 61 not out from James Harris and a well made 32 from Dan Douthwaite.In the 12 overs that were bowled before the close Derbyshire reached 40 for one with David Lloyd and Luis Reece undefeated.With Derbyshire still 361 runs away from their victory target a Glamorgan victory is the most likely outcome as the match heads into a final day with a mixed weather forecast.Mason Crane had come into bat as a nightwatchman late on day two and he did a good job of supporting Colin Ingram in a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket. Crane was trapped lbw by Thomson for 19 to bring the experienced pair of Ingram and Cooke together. For the first time in this match, batting started looking straightforward.Ingram was batting with great rhythm as he passed fifty from 76 balls. Shortly after reaching the milestone, he called Cooke through for a single and was sent back too late and was run out by a throw from Sam Conners.In the first two innings of the match, it was at this point that wickets had come in a hurry. Here Cooke and Douthwaite put together a partnership worth 109, the highest of the match up to that point. Cooke missed out on a chance to bat during the record-breaking efforts at Lord’s last week and he made the most of his chance in the middle in this game as he made the 13th hundred of his first-class career.After seeing the ball spin appreciably throughout the first two days, it was a lot easier going on day three, but Thomson continued to be a threat. He bowled the first 33 overs of the Glamorgan innings from the River Taff end and sent down 44 overs in total as he finished with career-best match figures of 12 for 201.Cooke was joined by Harris after Douthwaite was dismissed by Thomson to complete his second five-wicket haul of the match and Glamorgan continued to turn the screw with a second hundred-run stand in succession, eclipsing the stand by Cooke and Douthwaite as they made 116 undefeated for the eighth wicket. When the declaration came it set Derbyshire a target of 401.Harris was the man to make the one breakthrough on the third evening when he had Harry Came trapped lbw for three. As the clouds came over Sophia Gardens in the early evening it became too dark for play to continue and the players left the field with three overs unbowled.With the ball still turning on this pitch much will depend on how well Crane bowls on the final day with Glamorgan still needing nine wickets for victory.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras acertou um contrato de patrocínio com aPernambucanas para o time feminino de futebol. A empresa de varejonacional estampará sua marca nas costas do uniforme das Palestrinas.

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+ Confira quem sai, quem fica e as movimentações do Palmeiras no mercado

A estreia do novo patrocínio acontecerá nesta quarta-feira (21), às 15h30, contra o Santos, no Allianz Parque, pela partida de volta da final do Campeonato Paulista Feminino. O primeiro jogo terminou com vitória do clube alviverde por 1 a 0.

– Estamos muito felizes que a Pernambucanas tenha se unido ao Maior Campeão do Brasil. Desde o início da gestão, temos feito todos os esforços para valorizar a nossa equipe feminina e atrair novos patrocinadores para o clube. Esse é apenas o início de uma parceria que certamente será muito vitoriosa – afirmou Leila Pereira, presidente do Verdão.

+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Paulistão 2023

O Verdão está focado em fortalecer ainda mais todas as suas modalidades esportivas. Ao longo de 2022, o a diretoria do Palmeiras já havia fechado com a Betfair, Cimed e com o Cartão de TODOS para o time feminino de futebol, visando aumentar os investimentos na equipe.

– Apoiar a equipe de futebol feminino do Palmeiras tem um grande significado para nós, já que o protagonismo das mulheres sempre fez parte da trajetória da Pernambucanas. Um dos exemplos é o nosso apoio ao projeto ‘Em busca de uma estrela’, que dá oportunidade às meninas que desejam se tornar atletas profissionais. Agora, junto ao Palmeiras, reafirmamos e ampliamos nossa aposta no esporte e a nossa contribuição à equidade – disse Sergio Borriello, CEO da Pernambucanas.

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Gloucestershire make early running amid Root, Brook failures before captain battles back

ECB Reporters Network12-Apr-2024

Skipper Shan Masood’s 26th first-class century rescued Yorkshire on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Second Division match with Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.The visitors plunged to 90 for five in the first session, losing England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook for 28 runs between them in the process. But the Pakistan Test captain stood firm and moved flawlessly to his third Yorkshire hundred off 140 balls, with 15 fours.Masood was finally dismissed for 140. With Jonny Tattersall contributing a brisk 56 and Matt Milnes 51, Yorkshire posted 326 all out after losing the toss, Zaman Akhter claiming a career-best five for 85 from 18.3 overs. By the close, Gloucestershire had slipped to 28 for two in reply.Mark Alleyne only had to wait until the fourth ball of the game for Gloucestershire take their first Championship wicket since his return to the club as head coach. The club’s former trophy-winning captain saw Josh Shaw clean bowl Finley Bean for a duck with a good length ball.The delivery set the tone for an excellent pre-lunch session by the home seam attack. Adam Lyth was next to depart for seven, well caught by Cameron Bancroft diving to his right at second slip off Ajeet Singh Dale with the total on 19.Root’s first innings on his return to domestic red-ball cricket lasted just seven balls. Absent from the Championship for nearly two years, the former England Test captain had made only two when pinned lbw falling across his stumps by Akhter.Brook got off the mark with a four driven through mid-off and looked to be settling in when pulling Akhter for six over mid-wicket. But, having helped progress the total to 80 and his own score to 26, he badly miscued a back-foot shot off Akhter and Marchant de Lange took a running catch at mid-on.Ten runs later, George Hill wafted at a ball from Akhter and wicketkeeper James Bracey pouched a routine chance off what proved the final ball before lunch.The afternoon session brought a spirited Yorkshire fightback as Masood and Tattersall, who spent a brief spell with Gloucestershire in 2021, added exactly 100 for the sixth wicket.Masood was first to 50, off 83 balls, while Tattersall required only 50 deliveries to reach his half-century, hitting 10 fours and proving merciless on anything dropped short.It was a surprise when the partnership ended, Tattersall attempting to shoulder arms against Singh Dale and getting an inside edge onto his stumps. At 190 for six, Yorkshire required more from Masood and were given a boost when Matt Milnes was dropped by Bancroft at second slip off Akhter before he had scored.At tea, Yorkshire were 243 for six, the unflappable Masood unbeaten on 116, having survived just one scare when almost run out on 90 by Graeme van Buuren’s direct hit at the bowler’s end after calling for a quick single to mid-on.The 34-year-old left-hander almost departed for 127 soon after the interval when Ben Charlesworth failed to hold a sharp slip chance, Akhter again being the unlucky bowler. Masood added 13 to his score before edging a ball from de Lange, bowling around the wicket, through to Bracey.By then Yorkshire were 285 for seven. Bancroft was at fault again, dropping Matt Fisher at second slip before he had scored off de Lange before Milnes reached a valuable 86-ball fifty. He added a single before being caught behind aiming to drive de Lange to make it 292 for eight.Akhter picked up his fourth wicket when Ben Coad was caught at mid-off, aiming to clear the ropes. Fisher did exactly that with a brutal pull shot off de Lange before being last man out to Akhter, who fully deserved his five-wicket haul, having bowled with pace and accuracy.Gloucestershire were left with 14 overs to bat. Chris Dent got an inside edge onto his stumps off Fisher and Ollie Price was bowled by Coad playing down the wrong line as Yorkshire finished the day on top.