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Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti believes that Kylian Mbappe's departure to Real Madrid did not play a role in Les Parisiens' historic 2024-25 campaign, which ended with Champions League glory. The Italian midfielder defended the 26-year-old Frenchman's accomplishments in Paris and reflected on the team's failure to win the European crown with Lionel Messi and Neymar.

PSG project flourishes post Mbappe

PSG have become a seriously solid side in the past 12 months. After it seemed like they were finding it difficult to cope with life after Mbappe's departure to Real Madrid, Luis Enrique and his players turned things around splendidly in the second half of the 2024-25 season. Not only did they complete the domestic treble of Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions, but also finally ended their quest for a maiden Champions League title. They achieved the feat in spectacular fashion, handing Inter a 5-0 drubbing in the final of Europe's premier club competition. The collective success enjoyed by PSG translated to individual success for Ousmane Dembele, who lifted the 2025 Ballon d'Or after scoring 33 goals in 49 games across all competitions. 

The PSG project of the present is a far cry from PSG's tendency to assemble a squad filled with superstars. In fact, between 2021 and 2023, the Ligue 1 heavyweights boasted of a frontline consisting of world-beaters in Mbappe, Neymar and Messi. As scary as they looked on paper, teams found it easier to slice through PSG's press and cause their defence plenty of problems. Messi and Neymar left in 2023, while Mbappe left in 2024. 

Ultimately, PSG scrapped their transfer strategy altogether, instead adopting a far more balanced and smarter plan. They gambled on youth as well as their academy, with the squad shimmered with experienced figures in almost every department. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportVerratti believes Mbappe leaving was not a factor in PSG's UCL glory

Speaking in an interview with , Verratti opened up on his time at Parc des Princes. He was asked why Les Parisiens managed to lift the Champions League trophy immediately after Mbappe's departure. 

"It's unfair to see it that way," began Verratti. "With Kylian, we reached the semi-finals and the final, but we didn't win it. Then there's Real Madrid, who, with fantastic players, won it many times. Anyway, I don't think PSG won it because Kylian left. Mbappe has helped the club grow a lot. The year he left, he scored nearly 50 goals, for example."

When asked why the formidable front three of Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi couldn't help PSG succeed on the continental front, Verratti responded: "That's what makes football beautiful. It's not just about buying players and winning. That PSG team was a serious project, and they helped the club grow. Individually, we had many star players, but we lacked something as a team. And that matters a lot in today's football. In big games, star players can make the difference, but not generally."

Mbappe in unstoppable form for Real Madrid

Despite a record-breaking debut campaign for Real Madrid, where Mbappe scored 44 goals in 59 games, there was a feeling that the France captain was yet to deliver his devastating best for his dream club. All doubts surrounding Mbappe's status in Madrid have been dismissed with authority. The Madrid No.10 has begun the 2025-26 on fire, scoring 16 goals in 13 games for Los Blancos. He has scored in all but two games this season for both club and country, his goals against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona proving that he is morphing into the man for the big occasions.

Verratti went so far as to claim that Mbappe is the best player in the world right now. "He had to adapt, but he scored a lot of goals and won the Pichichi and the Golden Boot. And this year he's showing he could do even better. There's no one else like him in the world right now," the Italian midfielder said.

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GettyGlory with Madrid on Mbappe's mind

Mbappe’s debut season came during one of Real Madrid’s most disappointing campaigns in recent memory. The 15-time Champions League winners failed to secure any major silverware and were comfortably outclassed by sides of comparable quality. 

He has already shared his ambition of "winning everything there is to win" at Real Madrid, and it seems he has taken the responsibility upon himself to guide Los Blancos towards glory. While there's still a long way to go, the start from Mbappe and his team-mates has been near flawless.

Chelsea forward Sam Kerr has received her first Matildas call-up in two years. The talismanic striker has finally earned her long-awaited return to the Australian national squad after overcoming injury heartbreak and surgery. The Blues forward, who tore her ACL during a mid-season training camp in Morocco back in January 2024, has endured a gruelling 20-month road to recovery. But now, the 32-year-old icon has been named in Joe Montemurro’s Australia squad for their October friendlies against Wales and England, her first international call-up since late 2023.

• Nearly 700 days of heartache and hope for Kerr

  The injury that ripped her from the game came at the cruellest time. Kerr had been flying for club and country when disaster struck on Chelsea’s training pitch in Morocco. What followed was a nightmare no athlete ever wants to live, months of isolation, endless physiotherapy sessions, and the haunting doubt that she might never be the same again. She missed nearly two full campaigns, the latter half of 2023-24 and all of 2024-25, as well as the Paris Olympics. But Kerr refused to bow out quietly. 

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  Roaring back into action

  In August, Chelsea confirmed she had resumed full training. By September, the miracle moment came, 634 days after her last competitive outing. Introduced off the bench against Aston Villa, Kerr didn’t just step onto the pitch; she scored. It wasn’t her flashiest finish, far from it. A messy scramble, a ricochet in the box, and there was Kerr, reacting first, stabbing the ball home from close range in stoppage time. But the eruption from her team-mates told the real story. Every ounce of pain and frustration from nearly two years of rehab vanished in that split second as the net bulged.

• Australia's new era under Montemurro

  This October marks another first for Kerr, her debut call-up under new Matildas boss Montemurro. The Australian coach, known for his days in charge of Arsenal and Juventus, hailed Kerr’s return as "a special moment" for the nation. 

  "Having Sam back in the squad is a special moment – not just for the team, but for Australian football," he said. "Her leadership and presence are invaluable as we continue building toward the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and beyond. The team and my expectations in October are that we will continue to work hard, be humble and grow as a collective unit.

  "We are excited to bring this group together for two important fixtures in the October window where we have the opportunity to challenge ourselves, strengthen our cohesion, and continue shape the way we play. The squad showcases the depth we are looking to build, by utilising experienced players who continue to set high standards alongside the next generation of Matildas players. It will be Australia’s first time competing against Wales and there is a competitive history with England, so both games will provide different challenges to test the team, our playing style and the way be play together."

  However, one burning question remains: will Kerr reclaim the captain’s armband? During her absence, Steph Catley led the team with authority, earning praise for her composure and leadership. While the Matildas’ announcement didn’t clarify who would skipper the side in October, there’s no doubt Kerr’s influence will be felt regardless of who wears the armband.

  Meanwhile, fan favourites Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry also make their returns. Meanwhile, the Matildas will have to do without Mary Fowler (ACL) and Tameka Yallop (hamstring), both sidelined with injuries.

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  Eyes on Wales and England

  The Matildas’ first test comes on October 25, when they face Wales in Cardiff, a first-ever meeting between the two nations. Three days later, they’ll lock horns with European champions England in Derby, in what promises to be a fiery rematch of their 2023 World Cup semi-final showdown. That clash in Sydney, which ended in a 3-1 win for the Lionesses, shattered Aussie hearts but captivated a nation as it became one of the most-watched moments in Australian TV history. This time, with Kerr back in gold and green, revenge might just be on the menu.

Former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has suggested that Mikel Arteta's record of achievement since being appointed by Arsenal in 2019 will give him his pick of jobs whenever he decides the time is right to leave the Emirates Stadium. One of those could be at Barcelona in the future, where Arteta made key strides in his formative years as a footballer.

Big clubs will be 'knocking' on Arteta's door

Mendieta, who turned out for Barcelona during a storied career that also took in defining spells at Valencia and Middlesbrough, doesn't expected Arteta to be looking for a new job any time soon. But there is a belief that he won't ever be short of offers.

"Whenever Mikel Arteta's time at Arsenal is up and he's looking for new experiences, big clubs will be knocking on his door," Mendieta told OLBG.

"The job he's doing at Arsenal and from now until the moment he leaves, which I'm assuming will be a long term, I'm sure there'll be more trophies in the cabinet. Like PSG, every season Arsenal can get better, get stronger and keep getting to the latter stages.

"Big clubs will be knocking on the door, Barca included, as well as other big clubs and even national teams, he will have a lot of offers on the table."

Hansi Flick's Barcelona contract runs until 2027 and the German coach is already 60 years of age, suggesting the Catalans could be looking for a new boss in the not too distant future.

AdvertisementAFPPremier League consistency vs limited trophies so far

Under Arteta, Arsenal have placed second in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons, the club's best run in the competition since Arsene Wenger's streak of eight successive top two finishes came to an in 2005.

It is hugely impressive when Liverpool, for example, have been more erratic. But while the Merseysiders may have slipped to fifth in 2022-23, they won the title last season and the Gunners are still looking for a first league championship since the 2003-04 campaign. Meanwhile, Arteta himself hasn't won a major trophy since his first season in charge – the FA Cup in 2019-20.

Arteta's Barcelona connection

Barcelona could be a good fit for Arteta in the future. He was schooled in La Masia from the age of 15, forging friendships with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes, and went on to make 42 appearances for Barcelona B as a teenager, before establishing a senior career elsewhere.

As a newly-qualified coach cut from the famous Barcelona cloth, he was recruited by Pep Guardiola in 2016 to work on the backroom staff at Manchester City and remained there until interviewing for the Arsenal job towards the end of 2019.

Although he hails from San Sebastian in the Basque region on Spain's northern coast, Barcelona would still be a football 'homecoming' of sorts for Arteta.

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Getty ImagesCould Fabregas succeed Arteta as Arsenal boss?

If Arteta were to leave, Arsenal could recruit another former club captain to take over: Cesc Fabregas. The 2010 World Cup winner has been leading the revolution at Como and is quickly making a name for himself in coaching after a stellar playing career. Mendieta is "sure" a Premier League future awaits Fabregas, even if he's happy at Como for now.

"I'm sure there's been some conversations. But he's happy at Como. I know he's happy because the project is key, he is the one deciding who comes and goes and he is bringing the culture and the environment," the two-time Champions League finalist said.

"I'm sure Premier League clubs have approached him, former clubs will have approached him and we'll see him in the Premier League sometime in the future.

"Would he suit Arsenal or Chelsea? It could be actually both. I think he's intelligent enough because he started to play in a way at Como and then he changed quickly. They also change the system within games. He was a very intelligent player and is a very intelligent coach.

"He would adapt to whatever he has. If he goes to Chelsea and he has 50 players, he can pick and choose the system he wants to play. If he goes to Arsenal he can pick the players that he wants. Judging right now, Arsenal looks more like the style of football that he would be playing."

New Zealand started the Champions Trophy by beating Pakistan, Bangladesh suffered a loss against India

Mohammad Isam23-Feb-20256:56

Manjrekar: Rachin Ravindra may have to rest a little longer

Big picture: New Zealand primed for semi-finalsNew Zealand are in their element. They came into the Champions Trophy after an unbeaten run to the tri-series title against South Africa and Pakistan, whom they beat convincingly once again in the tournament opener.Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to set up a 300-plus score before Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke stifled Pakistan in the powerplay. Their three spinners tightened the grip with impactful spells and the contest fizzled out early in the chase. It was a near-perfect performance from a well-drilled unit.Another win against familiar opponents Bangladesh in Rawalpindi will confirm their place (and India’s as well) in the semi-final, an admirable achievement after losing several frontline bowlers to injuries pre-tournament.Bangladesh’s ODI side has lost its mojo in the last couple of years. Their top order includes Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, both of whom bagged ducks as they slumped to 35 for 5 against India. They may have not got anywhere near 228 had Jaker Ali, who made 68, not been dropped first ball by Rohit Sharma.Related

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Hridoy: 'I had to fight and find a way' after the early wickets

Latham, Young hit hundreds on Champions Trophy debut

Towhid Hridoy made his maiden ODI century but suffered from cramps at the end of his innings. Fortunately for him, Rawalpindi will be cooler than Dubai. Bangladesh will also be buoyed by the news that their senior batter Mahmudullah is likely to play against New Zealand after missing out against India with a hamstring niggle.Bangladesh’s bowling was steady against India but they need more from the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. They could also do with more firepower in Nahid Rana, their fastest bowler. New Zealand have never faced him before, so the surprise factor could be to Bangladesh’s advantage in a game they must win to keep their Champions Trophy campaign alive.Towhid Hridoy battled cramps during his hundred against India•Associated Press

Form guideBangladesh: LLLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
New Zealand: WWWWLIn the spotlight: Towhid Hridoy and Glenn PhillipsA century was a long time coming for the impressive Towhid Hridoy. It has taken him more than two years, and 34 matches, to score one. He was tested by a potent Indian attack but showed off his shots. With a hundred in the bag, he has the platform to push on, but Bangladesh will hope he displays more durability after coming down with cramps and struggling for impact towards the end of his innings in Dubai.Glenn Phillips is an electric cricketer. His catch to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in Karachi, leaping high and to his left at backward point, is one of the moments of the tournament – an effort that would make the best goalkeepers feel envy. His fielding aside, Phillips’ attacking batting down the order gives New Zealand acceleration towards the end of their innings. He is also a capable offspinner and he can keep wickets too. Is there anything Phillips can’t do?Team news: What if Mahmudullah and Ravindra are fit?Two changes are expected for Bangladesh as they look to include Mahmudullah and Nahid. Who will they replace though?Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 5 Tohwid Hridoy, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur RahmanNew Zealand rested Rachin Ravindra against Pakistan after he was struck on the forehead while fielding during the tri-series just before the Champions Trophy. Since then, Devon Conway has scored of 97, 48 and 10 as an opener while Young scored a hundred in the previous game. So if New Zealand want to bring Ravindra back, who do they leave out?New Zealand (probable): 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeWill Rachin Ravindra play against Bangladesh?•AFP/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Rawalpindi could be cloudyThis time, there will be no industrial fans and outdoor heaters to dry the pitch, as was the case ahead of the last international match – a Test against England – at this venue. Rawalpindi is generally good for batting, with a bit of help for fast bowlers as long as the ball is new and shiny. The forecast for Monday is cloudy weather with the temperature expected to drop below 20C after sunset.Stats and trivia: Bangladesh’s most frequent ODI opponents Bangladesh beat New Zealand in their previous Champions Trophy meeting, in Cardiff in 2017. The head-to-head record in the competition thus stands at 1-1. New Zealand have been Bangladesh’s most frequent opponents in ODIs since 2015. New Zealand have dominated the head-to-head with 17 wins and three defeats in 21 matches. Against Pakistan, Young and Latham became the second New Zealand pair to score centuries in the same match in an ICC ODI tournament. The first pair was Ravindra and Conway, who hit hundreds against England in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Jaker and Hridoy’s 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket against India was a record stand for Bangladesh. The previous highest partnership for that wicket also involved Jaker, who had added 150 with Mahmudullah in Bangladesh’s previous ODI, against West Indies in December 2024.Quotes”Yeah, we’ve got a few plans for Bangladesh, but I think we obviously – we have to wait and see what the wicket does. If it is pretty flat I think it is probably similar stuff to what we’ve been operating in in Karachi. It’s hitting that hard length for a long period of time and then we know they have some destructive players in their line-up as well.”
“(Preparation time) has to be enough. That’s what the tournament gives us. That’s what we are using. Yesterday was a good practice. The Islamabad Club ground has really good facilities. We had a good session. We will have a sharp session today, and we will be ready for tomorrow.”

Denver Summit FC have reached 15,000 season ticket deposits ahead of their inaugural season, the club announced. One of two new NWSL clubs for 2026, the team has already become the quickest expansion franchise to reach 10,000 season ticket pricing, and plan to play their first two seasons at a temporary location.

• Club smash season ticket mark

  The Summit reached 15,000 season ticket deposits less than a year before they are scheduled to start NWSL play. The expansion franchise initially broke the record of 10,000 just two months after revealing the franchise in full in January 2025. Angel City previously held the record.

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• 'Testament to passion'

  “Reaching 15,000 deposits is a testament to the passion for women’s soccer across the Front Range. We are excited to keep momentum going while continuing to engage the Denver community ahead of our inaugural season,” club president Jen Millet said.

• Busy in acquisition market

  Although they won't kick a ball in proper NWSL play for six months, the team have already been busy fleshing out the on-field personnel. They announced former NYCFC and Manchester City Women coach Nick Cushing to lead the side, and have made three signings, including Spain international Nahikari Garcia. 

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  Will start in temporary stadium

  The Summit will play two seasons at a temporary 12,000 seat stadium, before moving to a full-time home at Santa Fe Yards in 2028. Season ticket deposits can still be made. 

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin has confirmed that the club are looking to bring in more signings before the end of the summer transfer window.

The likes of Nasser Djiga, Thelo Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell, Oliver Antman, and Djeidi Gassama, among others, have already arrived at Ibrox, but the former Scotland international wants more.

This means that Gers supporters still have plenty to look forward to before September’s deadline, as the Light Blues look to build a squad that is capable of competing for the Scottish Premiership title.

One area that the Scottish giants are looking to add more quality to is centre-back, despite having already brought in Emmanuel Fernandez and Djiga this summer.

Rangers lining up move for new defender

A fresh report has emerged linking the Light Blues with a move for a new left-sided defensive option, who could come in as Martin’s own version of Russell Martin.

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 RangersReview journalist Chris Jack, Rangers are lining up a move to sign Real Betis central defender Nobel Mendy this summer.

The reporter claims, however, that a deal is not ‘imminent’ for the left-footed titan, which suggests that the Gers are not close to bringing him to Ibrox, despite the club’s interest in snapping the youngster up to bolster their defensive ranks.

It was reported earlier this month that Real Betis are looking for a fee in the region of £3.4m for the 20-year-old talent, and it remains to be seen if the Light Blues are willing to meet the asking price.

What Nobel Mendy could bring to Rangers

The Real Betis defender could be a shrewd addition to the squad to fill a hole in the squad, as Rangers will not have a left-footed centre-back in the squad if Ben Davies and Clinton Nsiala, who have not been involved in the games so far, leave.

Ridvan Yilmaz moving on would also leave Jefte as the only left-footed left-back option in the group, which means that a left-footed defender who can play left-back and centre-back would be perfect.

Bassey fulfilled that role perfectly for Rangers during his time at the club. The Gers swooped to sign him from Leicester City as a youngster, and he really made his breakthrough under Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the 2021/22 campaign, playing at left-back and centre-back almost alternatively.

Left-back

35

0

4

Centre-back

27

1

2

Left-midfield

1

0

0

Mendy, who was hailed as “strong and powerful” by writer Kai Watson, is a left-footed centre-back who can also play as a left-back, according to Transfermarkt.

This suggests that the 6 foot 2 colossus has the potential to be Bassey 2.0 for the Gers as another powerful, young, and versatile left-footed talent who can cover at left-back and centre-back when needed.

He has only played six matches at senior level for Real Betis, winning 100% of his duels in two LaLiga games last term, and that makes it difficult to gauge where the youngster is at from a quality perspective.

However, Rangers must see something in him if they are interested in bringing the defender to Ibrox for a potential fee of £3.4m, so their scouting work must have identified his quality in his academy performances in Spain.

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Therefore, Mendy could arrive at Ibrox with the potential to be Bassey 2.0 for the club as another young and versatile star who could cover two positions, which would prevent the Gers from having to sign two separate players to fill those gaps in the squad.

Liverpool’s ambitions of landing a move for Alexander Isak have dragged on throughout the summer transfer window, with a deal to land the forward not yet on the horizon.

The Reds tabled their opening offer last week for the Newcastle United striker, but their £120m offer for the Swedish international was quickly rejected by Eddie Howe’s side.

It’s thought that a fee in the region of £150m could be enough for the Black and White army to part ways with their talisman, who found the net on 23 occasions in the Premier League last season.

With less than a month remaining in the transfer window, Arne Slot’s side don’t have long to complete their business ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

As a result, they may be forced to turn their attention to other targets in the coming days to provide the boss with the depth and quality needed to regain their league crown.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

There’s no denying that Isak remains Liverpool’s number one target for such an area of the pitch, but other options are constantly being looked at should they fail to agree a deal for his signature.

Luis Diaz has already departed Anfield, with the likes of Darwin Núñez and Federico Chiesa also touted with moves to Serie A to raise added funds for their pursuit.

The money raised from such departures could go towards a move to land Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with the Brazilian once again in their sights, according to Football Insider.

The report claims that the Reds’ hierarchy have identified the 24-year-old as an alternative to Isak, potentially going back in for a move to land the forward in the near future.

However, the article also states he could command another huge fee from Slot’s side this summer, with the LaLiga giants currently demanding over £80m to offload him in the next few weeks.

Why Liverpool’s latest target would be their answer to Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is a forward who has constantly tormented backlines across Europe in recent years, cementing himself as one of the best attackers in world football.

The 26-year-old joined Real Madrid last summer on a free transfer from PSG, after enjoying a seven-year spell in Paris, which saw him net 235 goals in his 264 appearances.

It all could’ve been so different for the Frenchman, with Liverpool previously interested in his signature before he completed a free transfer to join Real Madrid last summer.

His move to the Santiago Bernabéu has seen him continue his magnificent goalscoring record, finding the net 44 times in his 59 appearances during 2024/25, ending his first season in Spain as the division’s top scorer.

There’s no denying Mbappé is one of Europe’s leading talismen, being a player many sides around the world wish they had at their disposal – but unfortunately, that honour goes to Xavi Alonso’s side.

Whilst a move for the Frenchman to Anfield this window is off the cards, they could sign their own version of him in the form of Rodrygo, with the Brazilian labelled as a similar player by FBref.

When comparing their respective stats from last season, the 24-year-old managed to outperform the world beater in numerous key areas, potentially being a superb addition to Slot’s star-studded side.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, registered more progressive passes and carries per 90, showcasing the threat he possesses with the ball at his feet.

He also managed to complete more key passes and more passes into the final third per 90, able to provide new signings Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz with added opportunities, should he also move to Merseyside.

Games played

30

34

Goals & assists

11

34

Progressive carries

5.3

4.6

Goals per shot on target

0.3

0.3

Pass accuracy

86%

82%

Key passes made

2.5

1.3

Passes into final third

3.1

2.3

Carries into final third

4.1

2.9

Crosses completed

3.8

1.1

Progressive passes

5.1

4.3

His dominance over his teammate is further reflected in his higher pass completion rate, whilst completing more crosses per 90, having a superb creative nouse within his arsenal.

Isak will rightfully be the main target for Liverpool over the next few weeks, but it still remains to be seen if a deal can be completed before September 1st.

However, the fanbase shouldn’t worry, with the Brazilian proving he’s more than capable of being a top-quality addition who could provide Slot with an Mbappé-like talent at Anfield.

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Bangladesh haven’t won a game in the last four T20 World Cups, and the skipper wants to end that streak

Mohammad Isam24-Sep-2024Nigar Sultana wants Bangladesh to beat Scotland in their opening match of the women’s T20 World Cup on October 3 and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Beating Scotland would be a “huge achievement”, she said, since Bangladesh haven’t won a match in their last four World Cup appearances, and have won just one game in five editions.Nigar, however, clarified that Bangladesh were not taking Scotland lightly. “We want to win the first match,” she said. “It will be a huge achievement for the team. The team will get into a flow when that happens. We can then dream of something bigger. We are hungry for it.”Scotland, though, are playing good cricket. Generally teams arrive at the World Cup with a lot of expectations. They won’t let you win easily. They don’t give up without a fight. We are mentally prepared to face those challenges.Related

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Bangladesh drop Rumana Ahmed for Women's T20 World Cup

“I have played four World Cups but we have never won a game in those editions. The last time we won was in the 2014 tournament [against Sri Lanka]. We have played well in previous editions but playing well only means something when you can win.”Nigar and Bangladesh are dreaming big. They want to challenge England, West Indies and South Africa, the others in their group in the first round, and are hoping to get into the semi-finals.”To play in the semi-final, we have to win against those three teams, too,” Nigar said. “We have different plans against each team. If we can execute our game-plan, then it will good for us. We have defeated South Africa in T20Is [twice in 13 completed matches]. We rarely meet England, only in World Cups, so it might be difficult for them, too. We all know that we have a good spin attack.”The tournament was initially supposed to be held in Bangladesh, but following political unrest in the country in July-August, the ICC relocated it to the UAE.”For a long time, we prepared with the understanding that the World Cup will be held at home,” Nigar said. “It is not in our control, so there’s no point thinking about it anymore. We played in Abu Dhabi in 2021, where the wickets were nice. Sharjah is a new venue for us, but we will play two practice matches, which will give us some idea.”Other teams will face similar challenges, so the faster we can adapt to those challenges, it will help us play better in the tournament’s main matches.”Young Rabeya Khan has been a revelation for Bangladesh in recent times•BCBBatting a concern for BangladeshBangladesh haven’t done well with the bat in their last two home series, against India and Australia, and also lost to India and Sri Lanka in the women’s Asia Cup earlier this year.Giving Nigar confidence, though, are newcomers like Shathi Rani and the uncapped Taj Nehar, who was picked ahead of the more experienced Rumana Ahmed.”Batting is definitely a concern but we saw some improvements among the batters during the ‘A’ team tour [of Sri Lanka],” she said. “We still believe that we can do well as most of our players have also done well in the domestic tournaments. I hope they continue their form in the World Cup.”We included Taj for the middle-order, although she doesn’t have experience. We saw her in the league [Women’s National Cricket League] where she showed good approach and intent. She can play the big shots. If you have followed our recent international matches, we failed in showing intent. Shathi was the highest run-getter in the league. She can go after the bowling, and you can see those in some of her innings. She can use the powerplay quite well. She has proved herself to come at this stage.”Bangladesh have a strong spin attack that includes left-arm spinner Nahida Akter and 19-year-old legspinner Rabeya Khan. Nigar paid a glowing tribute to young Rabeya, who is the team’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is this year [14 wickets in 12 games]. “Rabeya is one of our finest bowlers. She has taken our team to a different level through her contributions in both formats. She is a great fielder. She is good with the bat too but doesn’t take batting seriously. She is maturing slowly. If there’s someone I rely with the ball in tough situations after Nahida, it is definitely Rabeya.”

England are anticipating empty stadiums at October’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, but believe that their upcoming training camp in Abu Dhabi will mitigate the impact of the late change in venue from Bangladesh to Dubai and Sharjah.The ICC confirmed last week that the tournament will no longer be played in Bangladesh after weeks of civil unrest which prompted the prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. England’s squad did not change as a result of the shift but they are expecting a difference in conditions in the UAE – not least off the field, with attendances likely to be low.”It’s going to be a bit different,” Heather Knight, England’s captain, said. “There definitely would’ve been bigger crowds in Bangladesh, having played there in 2014 in the World Cup. We actually got some really good crowds, particularly in Sylhet… It’s become the norm for us to have people around. It is something we’ll talk about, but it’s a World Cup: it shouldn’t take too much to get up for that.”Related

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England will play their first three fixtures at Sharjah Cricket Stadium (16,000 capacity) and their final group match at Dubai International Stadium (25,000). Neither venue managed to attract big crowds for games which did not involve India or Pakistan during the men’s T20 World Cup in 2021, nor do they regularly stage women’s international cricket.”Some people thrive off the noise and the energy from the crowd, so [it’s about] making sure, individually, that everyone is prepared for potentially what we’re going to get. I don’t think, suddenly, there’s going to be a big rent-a-crowd. But it is what it is, and obviously safety and things like that are probably the most important things,” Knight said.While England have spent the past 18 months planning for a tournament in Bangladesh, doubling down on a spin-heavy strategy, Knight backed the ICC’s decision to shift the venue. “It’s obviously a shame for the Bangladesh team that they’re not going to have a home World Cup,” she said. “But I think it’s probably the right decision… the conditions will be slightly different, but not hugely.”England will arrive in Abu Dhabi on September 13, three weeks before their opening World Cup match, for a training camp. “[That is] the bit that’s a big advantage for us,” Jon Lewis, their head coach, said. “We’ve asked them to prepare wickets that are similar to what you would expect in the two stadiums, so by the time we get to the tournament itself, we think we’ll be really ready.”Dubai and Sharjah have only sporadically hosted women’s T20Is: Sharjah has staged 10 – most recently in 2017 – and Dubai only five, all between UAE and Namibia a year ago. It means that England are relying on data from men’s matches in their preparation, and are wary of going into the World Cup with too many preconceived ideas about conditions.”There’s obviously not been a huge amount of women’s cricket there, so you’re going off men’s stats,” Knight said. Lewis expects the toss to play a major role in floodlit games, as in the men’s T20 World Cup three years ago: “It will be a factor,” he said. “There are some subtle differences in terms of the wickets in Sharjah and the stadium in Dubai.”Lewis and Knight confirmed that England would have selected the same squad even if the tournament had stayed in Bangladesh, and played down concerns that they are one seamer light. “I don’t feel like we are,” Lewis said. “The thing that may be trickier for the spin bowlers is gripping the ball with some dew… but we do know that spin is really effective in the women’s game in general.”Lauren Filer was the only player to feature in England’s home T20Is this summer to miss out on selection, though will travel to Abu Dhabi for next month’s training camp. She was edged out by Linsey Smith, the left-arm spinner, who Lewis suggested covered more bases: “In the Powerplay, she’s a really effective bowler, and then she can bowl through the middle and the death.”Knight described Filer as being “really unlucky to miss out” and was impressed by her performances during the Hundred, despite her only taking six wickets in eight matches. “She bowled brilliantly without taking the wickets that she deserved,” Knight said. “But the squad we’ve picked gives us the most flexibility around potential conditions that we might face.”

Last-minute cash injection of USD $20 million causes ‘outrage and alarm’ among board directors

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Jul-2024No sooner had India beaten USA on June 12 in the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International stadium in New York than cricket’s first fully modular stadium was being brought down, packed and folded up. Cranes were at the venue before both teams had left, to remove the four drop-in pitches, with workers ready to dismantle the stands, to be returned to Las Vegas Formula One, from where most of the infrastructure had been borrowed by ICC.The New York project was among the most ambitious the ICC has undertaken with the venue built from scratch in 106 days. However, questions have hovered over the USA leg, where 16 of the 55 World Cup matches were hosted, almost from the moment the tournament began. Now the ICC Board, which meets this weekend in Colombo, will zoom in on several of those questions, in particular the claims that costs of the US leg significantly overshot the original budget, why that might have been the case, and who should be held responsible for it.According to one board director, the ICC Board had initially approved a budget in the range of US $40-50 million for the USA leg of the tournament. Though ESPNcricinfo has not been able to independently verify that amount, the director said in that initial estimate, $15 million was meant for operational expenses and roughly $30 million for the construction of the temporary stadium outside New York City.However, on the eve of the World Cup, T20 World Cup USA Inc, the US-based entity created by the ICC’s commercial arm IBC (ICC Business Corporation) to run the US leg, sent in a request for an additional $20 million. This “outraged and alarmed” a number of board directors, according to a second director, not least the fact that the request was made at the last minute. Why, the director asked, were no red flags raised with the board at any stage before the request?According to one official who was involved in the organising and running of the tournament, however, the $20 million T20 World Cup USA Inc sought was not additional budget, but to support cash flow: “T20 Inc had to pay people and needed a cash injection as a loan.”Several directors expressed reservations about the inflated expenditure leading to the request for the loan, among them CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow, ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja and Pankaj Khimji who is one of the three Associate directors on ICC Board. Other heads of Full Member boards also had their concerns. Khimji is believed to have sent an email last week to the ICC calling for an investigation into the US leg.Many of the fans who attended the T20 World Cup’s US leg were of subcontinent origin•Getty ImagesThe CWI were the main hosts of the T20 World Cup, after the ICC had stripped USA Cricket of its powers to be the co-host, due to the board being mired in governance and finance issues. That meant that T20 World Cup USA inc. effectively became the Local Organising Committee for the USA leg. The new company was registered as a not-for-profit company and is independent of the ICC. Former Australian Football League player Brett Jones, who had a rookie contract with Western Australia and held several roles in state cricket, was appointed its CEO with broadcast industry veteran Peter Hutton as the chair. Former West Indies batter Adrian Griffiths, a former ICC senior manager for umpires and referees, was heading the operational side.The original plan was for both a CWI-appointed LOC and T20 World Cup USA Inc. to work together, but more than one official involved in operations said that “all communication had broken down” between the two as the tournament progressed.The questioning is not going to be restricted to the US leg alone. Some directors on the ICC Board are expected to highlight the hits to the image of the tournament because of the questionable quality of pitches at some venues, as well as empty stands during the Caribbean leg. Despite the surfaces having been kept fresh, the slow and uneven nature of the pitches as well as the outfield raised immediate questions about whether they were conducive to T20 cricket.One example was the first semi-final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba where South Africa beat Afghanistan on a surface which the latter’s head coach Jonathan Trott criticised as “not the pitch that you want to have … a semi-final of a World Cup.”One person who has played a key role at all ICC events over the past two decades is Andy Atkinson, the global body’s pitch consultant, who usually visits the shortlisted venues months in advance to ensure the quality of the surfaces and outfield. Atkinson, it is learned, was not to be seen during this World Cup, raising concerns as to who exactly was in charge.Related

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Another issue was the swathes of empty seats around the grounds in the Caribbean starting with the tournament opener at Providence stadium in Guyana where West Indies played Papua New Guinea, watched by sparse crowds. That game was a day match, the timings of which were mainly responsible for the low turnouts across the Caribbean leg.Day matches were arranged with the Indian broadcast market in mind, with the broadcaster keen to beam the games – especially those involving India along with both semi-finals and the final – at prime time in India: 8pm in India meant 10.30am starts in the Caribbean. While that was a clear deterrent, officials point out CWI had the largest marketing budget of any T20 World Cup to promote the event in the Caribbean alone.It is customary for the ICC Board to review each global tournament, but in this case, there is a sense that questions need to be answered and accountability to be apportioned. As such, all eyes will be on CWI, as the main hosts of the tournament, as well as senior ICC management.In 2021, when the ICC finalised USA as tournament co-hosts along with West Indies, the plan was to exploit the untapped market in America which has a young and growing diaspora from the subcontinent. With the International Olympic Committee including cricket as part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the US leg was, in theory, a dress rehearsal.On that front, more than one director said the ICC had been successful in achieving some “mileage”. But questions around the marketing spend on the US leg are justified. A key indicator of its success will hinge on whether the game broke through beyond an already captive audience of subcontinent origin.Most of the answers will likely come during the October round of ICC’s quarterly meetings when the audited accounts for the World Cup will be ready for the ICC Board to refer to.