علق طارق السيد، لاعب الزمالك السابق، على أداء الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء، في مباريات الدوري المصري هذا الموسم، تحت قيادة يانيك فيريرا.
وخسر الزمالك أمام وادي دجلة بهدفين مقابل هدف، في آخر ظهور بالدوري، في مباراة أثارت جدلًا بين الجماهير، حيث طالب بعضهم برحيل فيريرا.
طالع | سيد عبد الحفيظ: الأهلي يحتاج “معلول جديد”.. ولاعب الزمالك يشبه خالد الغندور
وقال طارق السيد، في تصريحات لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”، على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “تجربة الزمالك تستحق أن تأخذ وقتها الكامل، حتى وإن لم تكن البداية مثالية، فلو تفادى الفريق بعض التعثرات لكان صنع فارقًا كبيرًا حوالي 8 نقاط بينه وبين الأهلي و7 مع بيراميدز”.
وتابع: “لا أحد يدخل تجربة ويضمن النجاح 100%، الزمالك واجه مودرن سبورت وفاز عليه وهو فريق قوي تعادل مع الأهلي، والأحمر قدم أداءً أمام بيراميدز عليه علامات استفهام كبيرة جدًا، وكأنه لم يذهب للمباراة”.
واختتم: “لاعبو الزمالك يحتاجون الوقت للانسجام، وأتحفظ على فيريرا باللعب بثلاثي في وسط الملعب أمام دجلة، والفريق منافس قوي على الدوري هذا الموسم، لكن على المدرب التركيز في توظيف اللاعبين”.
Everton will approach the 2025/26 campaign with a sense of excitement that has been missing for several years. Goodison Park will no longer house the Toffees’ Men’s team, but this new chapter promises so much.
After a huge exodus last month, Everton face a steep rebuild as they shuffle over to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although Moyes is the perfect man to lead this charge, tasked with piecing back together a team fit for purpose in the higher level of the Premier League.
Everton manager DavidMoyesbefore the match
But make no mistake, there’s a lot to sort out for the Scotsman.
The latest on Everton's transfer window
When Everton completed the £27m signing of Thierno Barry from Villarreal earlier in July, Moyes confirmed that he is looking to do more business before the start of the season.
He’s been true to his word. Bournemouth shot-stopper Mark Travers has completed his medical and officially signed for Everton, lined up to provide competition for Jordan Pickford. The Merseysiders also want wide defenders and physical and creative profiles in the middle of the park.
However, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s departures after unconvincing loan spells have left Everton devoid of options on the attacking right flank.
Transfer Focus
That’s why, as per Portuguese outlet A Bola, Everton are pushing to sign Francisco Conceicao from FC Porto after the 22-year-old’s loan stint in Italy with Juventus.
The Liga Portugal giants value their rising star at €30m (£26m), and while he is thought to be giving priority to Juventus, Everton are named as the only suitors willing to meet Porto’s demands.
Why Moyes wants Francisco Conceicao
Conceicao played a peripheral role for Juventus last season, but his high-speed performances down the right wing made a positive impression, scoring seven goals and providing six assists across 40 matches in all competitions, including a brace against Al Ain in the Club World Cup.
He’s got the makings of something special, and Everton’s vacancy on the right certainly suggests he could be a wonderful addition, with his physicality and athletic style even suggesting he could be the next version of Iliman Ndiaye.
Ndiaye, 25, signed from Marseille for £15m last summer and has established himself as the crème de la crème of Everton’s transfer business in recent years. It’s admittedly not a high bar, but he’d shine as a standout across even a rich and fruitful era for the club.
Everton’s top scorer in 2024/25 with 11 goals across 37 appearances, the Senegalese winger has a rare skill for excitement, and in Conceicao, Moyes could sign a stylistic match to compete down the right.
League Stats 24/25 – Iliman Ndiaye vs Francisco Conceicao
Match Stats (* per game)
Ndiaye
Conceicao
Matches (starts)
33 (29)
26 (12)
Goals
9
3
Assists
0
3
Shot (on target)*
1.1 (0.5)
1.5 (0.5)
Big chances missed
3
2
Pass completion
85%
85%
Big chances created
3
5
Key passes*
0.5
1.1
Dribbles*
2.1
1.3
Ball recoveries*
5.2
2.1
Tackles + interceptions*
2.2
1.1
Duels won*
5.4 (50%)
3.7
Data via Sofascore
Ndiaye has been hailed for his ability to produce “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson, and there’s no question that he’s more complete and robust at this stage than Conceicao, albeit a few years the Portuguese’s senior.
He could serve as a tutor for this young wideman, who should consider a move to Merseyside after a fringe role on loan with Juventus last season. At Everton, he would have the chance to become a nailed-on starting member.
Conceicao has already been declared ‘statistically the second-best dribbler in the world’ following analytics drawn from the CIES Football Observatory, so he’s got the talent to mirror Ndiaye, for sure.
Ranked among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 12% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. Clearly, he can fill the ball-carrying void that Ndiaye can’t fill on the right, for he plies his trade on the left wing.
Lauded for his “exceptional” dribbling skills and “electric pace” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Conceicao would be a stunning acquisition for an Everton side on the up, establishing a degree of exciting equipoise on the wings as Moyes creates a frontline to be feared.
Dream Doucoure replacement: Everton open first talks to sign £30m star
After Abdoulaye Doucouré departed Everton following the expiration of his contract, could the Toffees sign a “highly talented” replacement for £30m?
West Indies star struck 66* to move Superchargers into top three after England Test captain retired hurt
ECB Media11-Aug-2024
Nicholas Pooran swings one over the leg side during his half-century
Nicholas Pooran smashed 66 from just 33 balls, including eight sixes, to inspire a memorable comeback victory for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. But it was a suspected hamstring injury to England men’s Test captain Ben Stokes that brought his arrival to the crease.Stokes is now a doubt for the series with Sri Lanka which begins on August 21 in Manchester. He will have scans on Monday to determine the extent of the damage.Pooran – who is enjoying a stellar competition – came in at 29 for 2 with over 100 required and everything to do after Phil Salt drove his Manchester team to an intimidating 156 for 3, and walked off Emirates Old Trafford 62 balls later having kept his team in the competition.The game looked to be going the way of the hosts on more than one occasion, firstly when Salt took Originals to the biggest-ever powerplay, and latterly in Superchargers’ chase when they required 124 from 60, but Superchargers’ spinners dragged Originals back to keep the chase manageable, and Pooran, Brook and Adam Hose performed heroics with the bat to carry the day.The Superchargers’ charge continued a theme of top-class batting throughout the day, ably supported by a belter of a pitch at Emirates Old Trafford.After a similar story in the women’s game, Phil Salt and Max Holden enjoyed the early exchanges – the score at 86 for 2 when Holden was dismissed on the 34th ball – but Superchargers didn’t allow Originals to maintain their lightning scoring rate andm at the interval, they were in the game, albeit with a lot to do.For Andrew Flintoff’s team, Pooran then did as he has been doing throughout this competition to dispatch bowlers left, right and centre and make the improbable look routine, with support from Brook and Hose – and with it he kept the Superchargers’ hopes alive.The only bad news for Superchargers – who now need to beat London Spirit at Headingley on Tuesday to progress to the knock-out stages – was Stokes’ injury, which he sustained after running a quick single off the 12th delivery of the second innings.Meerkat Match Hero Pooran said: “It’s definitely one of my better innings, knowing the situation of the game. Walking into bat with 100+ runs to get, and this format it creeps up on you very fast but I was really happy that I could contribute and be there to the end.”I knew he struck it well [Adam Hose], but I was just really happy that he is finding some form as well. You don’t win tournaments with just one person contributing. It’s really good when your teammates can contribute and hopefully we can go to our game on Tuesday and fight.”If we lost the game today we’d be out of the tournament, I’m happy that I can be there to the end, contribute, get the win for the team and hopefully the result will be the same again on Tuesday as well.”
أعلن مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، برئاسة محمود الخطيب، عن أبرز تعديلات لائحة النظام الأساسي والتي سيتم عرضها على الجمعية العمومية يوم الجمعة المقبل.
ومن المقرر أن يعقد مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي جمعية عمومية طارئة يوم الجمعة، لمناقشة تعديل بعض أحكام لائحة النظام الأساسي للنادي الأهلي، بالإضافة إلى إمكانية تحديد موعد الانتخابات القادمة، بعد إعلان محمود الخطيب عدم الترشح لفترة جديدة.
طالع| مصطفى عبده يحسم موقفه من الترشح في انتخابات الأهلي بعد اعتذار الخطيب
وبحسب الموقع الرسمي للأهلي، تتضمن التعديلات المقترحة على لائحة النظام الأساسي للنادي مجموعة من البنود الجوهرية التي من شأنها أن ترسم ملامح مستقبل النادي، وتمنح الجمعية العمومية دورها الأصيل كسلطة عليا في اعتماد القرارات المصيرية. تعديلات لائحة النظام الأساسي للنادي الأهلي
نقل الاختصاصات الإدارية: تم نقل الدور الذي كانت تقوم به اللجنة الأولمبية المصرية في اعتماد اللوائح ومحاضر جلسات مجلس الإدارة وكافة الأمور الإدارية، ليصبح من اختصاص الجهة الإدارية المختصة وفقًا لأحكام القانون الجديد.
تنظيم اعتماد الميزانية: وضعت التعديلات آلية جديدة لعرض الميزانية والحساب الختامي، حيث تفرض ضرورة تواجد مراقب مالي مستقل من الهيئة العامة للرقابة المالية بجانب مراقب الحسابات، بما يضمن أعلى معايير الشفافية والرقابة.
استقلال مركز التسوية والتحكيم الرياضي: نصّت التعديلات على استقلالية المركز، بعد أن كان تابعًا للجنة الأولمبية المصرية، ليصبح كيانًا أكثر حيادًا وفاعلية في الفصل بالنزاعات الرياضية.
واختتم بيان الأهلي: تأتي هذه التعديلات بما يتوافق مع أحكام قانون الرياضة الجديد، ويعزز دور الجمعية العمومية باعتبارها صاحبة السلطة العليا وصاحبة الحق الأصيل في إقرار اللوائح ورسم مستقبل النادي، بدلاً من الاعتماد على اللائحة الاسترشادية السابقة.
أعلن نادي برشلونة منذ قليل، عن تفاصيل إصابة جافي، والذي يغيب عن صفوف الفريق الكتالوني خلال الفترة الماضية، بسبب مشاكل على مستوى الركبة.
ولم يشارك جافي مع برشلونة خلال المواجهات الأخيرة أمام كل من فالنسيا الأسبوع الماضي في الدوري الإسباني، ونيوكاسل يونايتد في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وأخيرًا لقاء خيتافي يوم أمس الأحد في الدوري.
اقرأ أيضًا .. رودري يكشف عن ترشيحاته للفائز بالكرة الذهبية 2025
وأكد برشلونة في بيان عبر حساب النادي الرسمي في “إكس”، أن جافي سوف يخضع لعملية جراحية يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، في ظل معاناته من إصابة في غضروف الركبة الداخلي.
وقال برشلونة في البيان: ”خضع لاعب الفريق الأول بابلو جافي لاختبارات إجهاد رياضية مكثفة بعد انتهاء برنامجه العلاجي للحفاظ على سلامة ركبته اليمنى من الإصابة الكعبرية في الغضروف الداخلي”.
واختتم بيان برشلونة: ”وبناء على ذلك، ولضمان أفضل تعافي ممكن والعودة إلى المنافسات، سيخضع جافي لفحص تنظيري يوم الثلاثاء المقبل من قِبل الدكتور خوان كارلوس مونلو تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي للنادي، وسيصدر بيانًا صحفيًا آخر فور انتهاء العملية”.
The first team player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi) underwent intense sporting stress tests after finishing his conservation course of treatment for the radial injury to the internal meniscus in his right knee.
The conclusion is that in order to guarantee the best possible… pic.twitter.com/Nh0WmFU9k0 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 22, 2025
ولم يتم الكشف من قبل برشلونة عن مدة غياب جافي عن الملاعب، لكن صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” تشير إلى أن إصابة اللاعب ليس لها علاقة بعملية الرباط الصليبي السابقة.
بالتالي، لن يكون هناك مخاوف بشأن إصابة جافي، وسوف يغيب اللاعب لحوالي خمسة أسابيع، مما يعني صعوبة لحاقه بمواجهة الكلاسيكو أمام ريال مدريد يوم 26 أكتوبر المقبل.
He was Player of the Series against Australia and led England to victory in Cardiff
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2024
Liam Livingstone was outstanding against Australia•Getty Images
Liam Livingstone has become the No.1-ranked men’s T20I allrounder following his Player of the Series performances against Australia.He has toppled Marcus Stoinis by climbing seven places on the back of 124 runs and five wickets in the two matches which took place with the decider at Old Trafford washed out.Related
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The series saw Livingstone move up England’s order to No. 4 having been used as a finisher during the T20 World Cup earlier this year and he enjoyed the chance to build an innings, leading England to a series-levelling victory with a powerful 87 off 47 balls in Cardiff.”It’s up to me to make sure I try to do as well as I can and give them a bit of a headache for the next series,” he said after the first T20I where he made 37 and took 3 for 22 in defeat. “I don’t think you’ll see anybody that wants to bat lower down the order.”I want that responsibility. I want to try to win games of cricket for England, and the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that. There’s less people that can play that role [at No. 6] and sometimes you’ve got to take it on the chin… [but] this is a chance for me to stake my claim.”His bowling proved equally important as he formed a key spin pairing with Adil Rashid which twice saw England claw back rapid Australia starts.Livingstone’s form has seen him earn a recall to the ODI squad for the five-match series against Australia as a replacement for the injured Jos Buttler.Elsewhere Travis Head cemented his spot at No. 1 in the batting rankings with 90 runs off just 37 balls across two innings in the series. Adam Zampa moved up one spot in the bowling rankings meaning the top six places are filled by spinners.Click here for the full ICC player rankings or the ICC team rankings
Chelsea are widely believed to be in advanced talks to sign both Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato, but they’re not the only players who BlueCo have bid for after Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro were signed earlier this summer.
Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea "agree deal" to sign "sensation" with medical held
Enzo Maresca is welcoming another exciting player.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 26, 2025
Enzo Maresca, according to recent reports, is prioritising another new attacker after their £145 million triple deal for Delap, Gittens and Pedro – coming after his side were thwarted time and time again by sides in the low block last season (Simon Phillips).
This suggestion may have prompted the Blues to turn towards RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, who is believed to be in advanced talks over a move to Stamford Bridge (Fabrizio Romano).
Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season
Average match rating
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
The 22-year-old, who’s bagged 21 goals and 23 assists since joining Leipzig on an initial loan at the start of 2023/2024, only made his move to the Bundesliga permanent in January, but he’s now prepared to leave Germany for the Premier League.
“Xavi is a different player,” Barcelona forward and ex-teammate, Dani Olmo, told Leipzig’s official website.
“He has shown that so far in the time he has been here. We connect really well on the pitch but he can also do things on his own. He has an amazing dribbling technique, finishing as well.
RB Leipzig'sXaviSimonsreacts after the match
“He’s a really complete player and for us, for our system, for how we play, our ideas, the coaches’ ideas, it is perfect for us. Now he’s in a really good mood, in a really good shape so this is very helpful.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea are also closing in on a deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato after agreeing personal terms with the Dutchman, and he was left out of John Heitinga’s squad for their 5-1 Como Cup win over Celtic earlier this week.
Amidst these reports, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has now lifted the lid on a Chelsea approach for Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz.
Chelsea make near £61 million offer to sign Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz
According to La Gazzetta, via Calciomercato, Chelsea have submitted a near-£61m bid for Yildiz, but Juventus rejected it out of hand.
Juventus' KenanYildizcelebrates
The Turkey international is viewed by Igor Tudor’s side as a key player for next season as they seek to become Serie A title challengers once again, with Juve also attempting to tie Yildiz down by opening talks over a new contract.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona are named as fellow suitors for the 20-year-old, but the Old Lady are set to dig their heels in after Yildiz’s impressive 2024/2025 campaign.
He would’ve been an interesting alternative to Simons, but as talks advance for the ex-PSG starlet, Yildiz appears unlikely to make the switch to west London.
“Kenan has huge potential, he has rare qualities: he can make the difference up front with the dynamism of a midfielder,” said Tudor about the player.
“He’s a special talent, but it’s his mentality that will take him far.”
يستعد آرسنال لمواجهة مانشستر سيتي يوم الأحد المقبل على ملعب الإمارات في إطار منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وينتظر أن يتخذ آرسنال موقفًا نهائيًا بشأن مشاركة مارتن أوديجارد وبوكايو ساكا وبن وايت قبل مواجهة مانشستر سيتي، وكان أوديجارد قد اضطر لمغادرة الملعب في الشوط الثاني ضد نوتينجهام فورست وظهر عليه الانزعاج الشديد.
وأكد أرتيتا أن أوديجارد تعرض لنفس إصابة الكتف التي تعرض لها في وقت سابق من الموسم بعد أن اضطر لمغادرة الملعب ضد ليدز يونايتد في ثاني مباريات آرسنال الموسم الجديد وجلس على مقاعد البدلاء ضد ليفربول.
ولم يتدرب أوديجارد وغاب عن المباراة الافتتاحية لدوري أبطال أوروبا أمام أتلتيك بلباو، بينما يغيب ساكا منذ مباراة ليدز بسبب إصابة في اوتار الركبة قد تبعده عن الملاعب لأربع أسابيع.
أقرأ أيضاً.. جوارديولا: إذا فاز آرسنال أو ليفربول بالدوري سيكون بسبب إنفاقهم وليس مجهودهم
وصرح أرتيتا في مؤتمر صحفي نقلته صحيفة “مترو” البريطانية: “بن وايت وأوديجارد وساكا سيتدربان هذا الأسبوع لكنهما قد ينضمان لزملائهما في التدريبات الأخيرة يوم السبت”.
وقال أرتيتا: “إذا أتيحت الفرصة ستكون بعد جلسة التدريبات في الغد لأنهم لم يفعلوا شيئاً بعد”.
وكان ويليام ساليبا قد تعرض لالتواء في الكاحل خلال الإحماء قبل مباراة ليفربول وحل محله كريستيان موسكيرا والذي قدم مستوى جيد ضد الريدز وفورست وبلباو.
وحول عودة ساليبا أضاف أرتيتا: “دعونا نرى، إنه يعاني من إصابة، إنه يرهق نفسه بشدة لذا سنقرر غداً”.
وخفف أرتيتا من تعرض فيكتور جيوكيريس لجرح غائر في مؤخرة رأسه خلال لقاء بلباو وكذلك تعرض ميرينو لإصابة في الرأس:”إنهما بخير وسيكونا متاحين للمباراة ضد مانشستر سيتي”.
Chelsea are now ready to offer Blues players as part of a swap deal for an “unbelievable” Premier League and England star, according to a report.
Blues set sights on another attacker
The Blues have already strengthened their forward options considerably this summer, with the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens sealing moves to Stamford Bridge, but Enzo Maresca remains keen on adding another attacking midfielder to his ranks.
The west Londoners have ramped up their interest in a number of playmakers over the past few days, with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers being identified as their top target, although there are two other exciting options on the shortlist.
Target
Current club
League G/A in 2024-25
Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa
19
Xavi Simons
RB Leipzig
17
Eberechi Eze
Crystal Palace
16
Maresca’s squad is arguably already bloated, meaning it could make sense to offload some unwanted players in swap deals for new signings, and a new report has revealed the Club World Cup champions plan to do exactly that.
Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, Chelsea are ready to offer players as part of a swap deal for Aston Villa’s Rogers, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile among the potential options.
Villa have also expressed an interest in Nicolas Jackson, as Unai Emery is keen on reuniting with the former Villarreal man, so it may also make sense to use the 24-year-old as a makeweight in negotiations.
The Blues can arguably afford to get rid of Jackson, given that Delap and Pedro have arrived this summer, with the latter playing a major role in their Club World Cup triumph, scoring three goals throughout the tournament.
Should a swap deal not be possible, Chelsea may have to spend big to get a deal over the line, with Villa reportedly looking to receive over £90m.
"Unstoppable" Rogers could be statement signing for Chelsea
The west Londoners should be in a strong financial position after winning the Club World Cup, having raked in around £85m, meaning they may be able to afford to make another statement signing this summer.
The Villa star would be exactly that, having performed remarkably well across the 2024-25 campaign, proving himself in his debut season in the Champions League by collecting four goals and three assists in 12 outings.
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Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has also been left impressed by the 22-year-old England international, describing him as “unstoppable”, and given the attacking midfielder’s age, he still has plenty of time to develop further.
Rogers could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, and it would be an added bonus if they were able to get Jackson off the books as part of the deal, given that Pedro has already proven he is capable of leading the line next season.
“They took 20 wickets on this pitch, so you can’t say it’s impossible to take 20 wickets on this pitch,” Pakistan captain says
Danyal Rasool11-Oct-2024Shan Masood drew a sharp line between his side’s batters and bowlers after their innings defeat against England in Multan – he defended the batters and criticised the bowlers for failing to do their job. Speaking after the match, Masood lamented their inability to take 20 wickets, largely dismissing the pitch as a mitigating factor for their struggles.”What England showed us is you can find a way. They took 20 wickets on this pitch, so you can’t say it’s impossible to take 20 wickets on this pitch,” Masood said. “We can’t find the easy way out to those 20 wickets, because then we wouldn’t have scored a huge first-innings score. You have to find a way as a team, and the formula of Test cricket is you can’t win a Test without taking 20 wickets. That, and first-innings runs.”We’ve repeated mistakes, by setting up the match and then letting those positions slip. When you score 550 and bat for two days, there’s a human element where there is scoreboard pressure. If in these conditions you are to set up a game, you put up a big score. And then not let the team take too big a lead.”Related
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It was a point – Pakistan’s failure to take 20 wickets – Masood repeatedly brought up. There was significantly less introspection about Pakistan’s showing with the bat in the second innings. He admitted losing “one or two fewer wickets yesterday” would have been useful, but that was about as far as Masood went in his evaluation.Much of the wider talk has revolved around the placidity of the surface, and how little it offered the bowlers, even as the game wore on. Chris Woakes, who removed Babar Azam in the first innings and knocked back Abdullah Shafique’s off stump off the first ball of the second, called it “a pitch that offered bu****r all”. Mike Atherton, working as a broadcaster on the game, called it “a shocking pitch”. Masood would have had little pushback if he’d chosen to line up behind them to exonerate his bowlers, but he opted to take a different route.”It was the same pitch for both sides, and both sides were similar – three pacers and two spinners,” he said. “They found a way, and we didn’t execute as well. Conditions change over the course of a Test, and we have to learn to find a way.”We take the discussion of the pitch too seriously. You plan a pitch for your squad and your strategy, but you can’t control every aspect of the pitch. The last Test we played here in 2022, that was a slightly different pitch. England’s squad was different, as was ours. Here, we expected this pitch to break up very quickly. Maybe around the end of Day 2 and the start of Day 3. Which is why we tried to prolong the innings.”Masood, in particular, blamed a “lapse” from the bowlers with the second new ball. By that time, England had gone past 400, with Harry Brook and Joe Root well into the partnership that would become the largest away stand in Test history. Abrar Ahmed had proved ineffectual, perhaps hampered by the illness that put him in hospital the following day. Pakistan did not make any inroads overnight, or the morning that followed.”The pitch today and yesterday wasn’t a Day 1 or Day 2 pitch,” Masood said. “The new-ball bowlers got a spell; there was enough with the new ball and there were open cracks. That was an opportunity the bowlers had to drag the game back to Pakistan. We’ll have to absorb pressure in that period and improve. These lapses have occurred before. You set up a big total and restrict the opposition, so you can drive the game on the third day. The 220 we scored, if we had conceded only a 50-run deficit, then scoring 170 in two sessions would have been a different story.”Masood’s review of that period may come off as harsh, particularly on Naseem Shah. Late on the third day, he had Joe Root trapped in front off a ball that came in, but missed out because of umpire’s call when a fair chunk of the ball was hitting leg stump. The following morning, Root pulled one off Naseem straight to Babar Azam at midwicket, and it went down.There wasn’t much introspection about Pakistan’s second innings on Shan Masood’s part•Getty Images
The hostility of the conditions is unlikely to have helped the bowlers either. The Test has been played with temperatures hovering in the high 30s and the sun blazing down; high-performance coach Tim Nielsen said yesterday “the heat and length of time” Pakistan were out on the field ended up getting to them.Meanwhile, there will invariably be criticism that Masood has been selective in the way he has framed his argument. Slumping to 82 for 6 on a surface England piled on the fourth-highest score in Test history can hardly be seen as spectacular batting, particularly in light of Pakistan’s repeated third-innings failures. It’s also worth mentioning that a 170-odd run fourth-innings target is precisely the situation Pakistan found themselves in during the second Test against Bangladesh, only for the visitors to knock it off with little drama.Masood mentioned the importance of not falling into a huge deficit to help Pakistan’s third innings, but even when that goal has been realised during his tenure, a decent third innings has not. In Sydney, Pakistan managed a narrow lead against Australia before slumping for 115, as they did during the second Test against Bangladesh after sneaking a 12-run lead in Rawalpindi. This is the largest lead they have given up during his time, but as he admitted, a spicier pitch may simply have meant a failure to put up the big first-innings total Pakistan did.”We’ve got into good positions three times, and if you keep in mind the first-innings scores – 448, 274, 556 – you’d have to accept they are good innings scores. We have to look at the batting and bowling effort and how to combine them, and stay in the game. The third and fourth innings will only be match-winning when the bowling and batting innings are in tandem.”