Rising Pune Supergiant have acquired seamer Shardul Thakur from Kings XI Punjab for the tenth season of the IPL, which starts on April 5

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2017

Mumbai and Kings XI Punjab seamer Shardul Thakur has been acquired by the Rising Pune Supergiant for the tenth season of the IPL, which starts on April 5. This is Supergiant’s second trade of the season, having signed opener Mayank Agarwal from Delhi Daredevils ahead of the auction in January.Thakur’s addition bolsters Supergiant’s Indian seam bowling group, which includes Ashok Dinda, Deepak Chahar, Ishwar Pandey, Jaskaran Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rajat Bhatia and Rahul Tripathi.Thakur was bought by Kings XI in 2014 for INR 20 lakhs. He played a solitary match for them in 2015, conceding 38 runs for a wicket in three overs against Delhi Daredevils in May 2015. In all, Thakur has played 18 T20s for 21 wickets at an economy rate of 7.81.Supergiant will begin their campaign against Mumbai Indians in Pune on April 6.Rising Pune Supergiant squad: Adam Zampa, Ajinkya Rahane, Ankit Sharma, Ankush Bains, Ashok Dinda, B Aparajith, Ben Stokes, Daniel Christian, Deepak Chahar, Faf du Plessis, Ishwar Pandey, Jaskaran Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Lockie Ferguson, Manoj Tiwary, Mayank Agarwal, Milind Tandon, Mitchell Marsh, MS Dhoni, Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Chahar, Rajat Bhatia, R Ashwin, Saurabh Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Steven Smith (capt.), Usman Khawaja.

Joe Clarke put an unproductive England Lions tour of Sri Lanka behind him when he made 89 as the MCC struck 332 all out on the opening day of the Champion County clash against Middlesex in Abu Dhabi

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Mar-2017
ScorecardJoe Clarke was in good touch for MCC•Getty ImagesJoe Clarke put an unproductive England Lions tour of Sri Lanka behind him when he made 89 as the MCC struck 332 all out on the opening day of the Champion County clash against Middlesex in Abu Dhabi.Clarke struck 11 fours to guide MCC past 300 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium before he fell lbw to the Middlesex fast-medium bowler James Harris. Harris also removed Tom Alsop for a sixth-ball duck and Liam Plunkett as MCC were dismissed shortly before the close.He gained support from another England Lions batsman who had an in-and-out Lions tour, Ben Duckett, who played with his usual enterprise in making 69 from 88 balls before falling lbw toMiddlesex’s off-spinner Ravi Patel.Three good wickets for Patel, who also removed MCC captain Alex Lees and Lewis Gregory, was encouraging for Patel who, at 25, will be anxious to make good the early promise that won him England Lions honours.

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans won’t be affected by the ongoing takeover saga, Sky Sports report.

What’s the latest Man United news?

The Glazers are still yet to make a concrete decision when it comes to a potential Old Trafford sale, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe still waiting to see if their bids have been successful.

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag are also yet to bolster the squad with any new signings, and there has been previous speculation that there are concerns from Old Trafford that the takeover process could derail Ten Hag’s summer plans.

Sky Sports shared an update from Old Trafford regarding the takeover saga, claiming that the Glazers are still considering offers from Jassim and Ratcliffe. However, they have learned that the club’s transfer plans “won’t be affected” as there is “enough cash available” currently to bolster Ten Hag’s squad, within FFP rules, in what is a positive transfer update.

“The Glazer family are still considering bids from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

“According to sources close to United, summer recruitment won’t be affected by the results, with enough cash available to enable United boss Erik ten Hag to invest in the team, although Financial Fair Play rules will limit what can be spent.”

Who could Man United sign this summer?

There could be plenty of incomings and outgoings, with up to 13 players reportedly up for sale at United this summer. Should a number of players move on, that could increase the funds available to Ten Hag.

A key target in recent weeks has been Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, with the Red Devils making a number of offers, with a £55m bid still on the table.

Alongside a new midfielder, a new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, with David de Gea’s future still up in the air with his contract set to expire at the end of the month. Inter Milan’s Andre Onana looks to be the key target to potentially come in as first choice for De Gea, with a bid being readied in Manchester.

Should a couple of high-profile additions come in over the next few weeks such as Mount and Onana, it may relieve some stress for Ten Hag with pre-season just around the corner, and by the looks of it, nothing is stopping that from happening, so supporters will be hoping to see some activity over the coming weeks.

Limited-overs captain Sarfraz Ahmed expects Pakistan’s senior players to step up in the West Indies in their bid for direct qualification to the 2019 World Cup. He emphasised the importance of senior fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz taking wickets to make a difference on the upcoming tour, which starts with four T20I games from March 26.”In the T20 format we might have a relatively young bowling side but in ODIs we have three senior bowlers – Amir, Wahab and Junaid Khan. We have spoken to them and reminded them that they are seniors, have played ample cricket, and now have to step up,” Sarfraz said at the conclusion of a week-long conditioning camp in Lahore. “We are working on fielding but with our bowling department we need to take wickets with new ball and in middle overs. We have worked very hard in the camp and now I am hopeful that they will make a difference in the West Indies and help Pakistan win with their bowling.”Sarfraz’s own career has been marred with inconsistency since his debut in 2007. It wasn’t until 2014 that he turned it around, after Adnan Akmal was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series in the UAE. He scored 48 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, and has since become an integral part of the national side in all formats, recently replacing Azhar Ali to become ODI captain.Under Azhar’s leadership, Pakistan slipped to ninth position – a record low – in the ODI rankings. They have since risen one place but they barely scraped into this year’s Champions Trophy. Pakistan won only five of the ten bilateral series under Azhar: two against Zimbabwe, and one each against Ireland, Sri Lanka and West Indies. In all, Pakistan lost 18 games and won 12.”I understand that over the last two years Pakistan’s performance in ODI cricket hasn’t been good,” Sarfraz said. “We have been trying really hard to minimize our mistakes. There were some flaws, especially in the fielding department, and we have been working hard to iron them out. We were scoring 280 to 290 but then dropping catches in the field, and this was hurting our chances. We are aware how important World Cup qualification is, so our focus is on winning the series and strengthening our position.”Under Azhar Ali, Pakistan lost 18 ODIs while winning only 12•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Pakistan selectors recently named five uncapped cricketers for the limited-overs series, but also called up two senior players who had been out of favour. Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal were named in both the T20 and ODI squads after impressive domestic runs.”I feel the role of our senior players, especially [Mohammad] Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Amir and Wahab is very important,” Sarfraz said. “There are junior players with us and both Kamran and Ahmed [Shehzad] are making their comeback, so I expect our senior players, including myself, to lead from the front. We have been scoring 280 or so but we need to get totals above 300. Besides, our fast bowlers need to take wickets to give us the best possible chance.”Sarfraz dismissed suggestions that Kamran Akmal’s return threatened his own spot in the team•AFP

The recent corruption allegations that surfaced in the PSL made opener Sharjeel Khan, along with Mohammad Irfan, Shahzaib Hasan, and Khalid Latif unavailable for selection. “It’s a bad thing in many ways and it disappoints you,” Sarfraz said. “Because some players are set in the team, and with their ouster the combination of the team gets upset. Sharjeel was not only settled in but was exactly the sort of player we needed to open the batting. He was the kind of batsman who played cricket in line with modern-day requirements. His absence will be felt but whoever comes in as a replacement will also be an outstanding player, and they can give their best to take Pakistan forward.”These young players that we brought in are very talented and they have been selected after consistent domestic performances. They have been outstanding and this is the reason they got a chance. It’s good that they are getting the opportunity at a time when cricket isn’t being played in the country. It’s also a good sign that they are getting a chance and hopefully these boys can convert their domestic form in international cricket.”Sarfraz denied that the added responsibility of being a wicketkeeper-batsman as well as captain put him under extra pressure. He also dismissed suggestions that having Kamran Akmal back in the side threatened his own place. “I am not feeling any pressure, it’s a good thing that Kami came in after performing well. Earlier [Mohammad] Rizwan was around with me so there is no pressure at all. Kami has been performing in domestic cricket, and we expect him to contribute here too, which will help Pakistan.”

Manchester United reportedly have a contract agreement in place with Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, while an official first bid has also been made.

Are Man United signing Andre Onana?

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag have been heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old in recent weeks. Reports previously suggested that Man United were leading the race for his services and stories in recent days claimed a bid was expected to be submitted soon.

Inter Milan want €50m plus bonuses for the shot-stopper, a figure Old Trafford officials are rumoured to be willing to pay, and a further update has now emerged.

The Faithful MUFC relayed an update from La Gazzetta Dello Sport regarding Man United and Onana on Monday. They claimed that an Old Trafford salary has been agreed between United and Onana, with Ten Hag keen on bringing in the goalkeeper to replace David de Gea, who is now out of contract in Manchester.

Ten Hag has reportedly assured Onana that Man United will do everything they can to secure a deal with his club after agreeing terms with the player himself.

In a fresh update on all this by Fabrizio Romano, it has now been revealed that a first bid has now gone in for the goalkeeper but has been rejected.

The journalist explained: "Negotiations between Man United and Inter continue for Andre Onana — after £34m bid plus £5m in add-ons rejected. Deal absolutely on. "

What has been said about Andre Onana?

Onana is a player who Ten Hag knows extremely well following their time at Ajax. Hailed as a "superstar" by members of the media, the Cameroon international has made more appearances under Ten Hag than any other manager during his career (145). The United boss labelled Onana as a “masterful goalkeeper” last year before the pair went on to leave the Dutch giants, saying:

“Obviously he’s not yet back at his level from before the suspension.

“But that can’t be expected from him. He has to work hard to get there again and I’m convinced that he’ll succeed. We’ve all seen that he is a masterful goalkeeper.”

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is also a big fan, praising Onana’s ability on the ball after the Champions League final last month.

“Identifying the space and emptying the midfield is a special quality. Normally, teams have great keepers, but he [Onana] is exceptional with his feet.

“When you have a goalkeeper like Onana who can read perfectly where everyone is to pass to, with Calhanoglu and Barella, then the strikers hold it up and move the ball around. It is very, very difficult. It would be a tiny bit easier without this goalkeeper, but still very tough.”

Therefore, with De Gea now out of contract at Old Trafford, Onana could be a solid signing ahead of the new season. He enjoyed a solid first season at the San Siro, keeping 19 clean sheets in 41 games in all competitions.

As per FBref, Onana outperforms De Gea in a number of areas, including save percentage, goals against, touches and crosses stopped, showing how he could be a shrewd addition.

By the looks of things, all that needs to be agreed on now is a transfer fee, and who knows, Onana could be the next marquee summer signing after midfielder Mason Mount, with the England midfielder undergoing a medical at Carrington on Monday.

Southampton's search for talent to prepare them for the Championship has seemingly led them to Grady Diangana, according to the Express and Star.

What is the latest Southampton transfer news?

There's been plenty of happenings for the Saints since the window opened, both in terms of potential incomings and outgoings too. With the club preparing for life in the second tier, there are bound to be exits of some of their higher-paid players, but that will make room for some sensible recruits in order to try and earn promotion back to the Premier League and build a sustainable squad capable of staying there too.

One name that could be out of the door at the club is Carlos Alcaraz. Having impressed since a mid-season move in 2022/23, Napoli are now ready to take him to Serie A so that he doesn't have to spend a year in the Championship. No bid is on the table yet but the Italians are believed to be keen to do business.

In terms of incomings, it looks like Russell Martin wants to head straight back to his old club Swansea to poach some of their biggest talents. The Saints have been linked with both Ben Cabango and Nathan Wood and could launch a move for one of them this summer – although he will not be signing both of them, so will have to weigh up which name he wants more at Southampton.

Are Southampton signing Grady Diangana?

Now, there is another name on their transfer radar. According to a report from the Express and Star, Grady Diangana is being tracked by the Saints, as well as Leicester and Leeds.

All three relegated sides are keeping tabs on the Baggies man ahead of a potential move, but a deal could be hefty. It seems as though West Brom are not too keen to lose the 25-year-old and could demand a substantial fee for the winger, with the Hawthorns outfit feeling they don't need to sell the player for a small fee. If Southampton do like Diangana then, they may have to stump up some decent cash to get a deal done for him this window.

The Baggies player does have a good record at Championship level though. He has been with the club for four seasons and has already featured in 102 second tier games for the side and bagged 14 goals with ten assists. The Englishman then has the ability to produce the goods at this level, racking up a direct contribution roughly every four matches.

There is no doubt of his talent at second tier level either, with Diangana previously receiving praise for his efforts in the Championship. Football journalist Josh Bunting stated that the 25-year-old was "excellent" during the 2022/23 season for example.

He knows how to split open defences in this division then and with Southampton looking to bounce straight back to the Championship, he could be a perfect signing if they do launch a move for the winger, adding a bit of pace and dynamism outwide for Martin's new-look side.

Arsenal are already closing in on a number of new signings to kick off this summer's spending, with Mikel Arteta unafraid to throw big money around to bolster his team.

For all their success in the Premier League last term, they still came up considerably short of Manchester City, who went on to claim an unprecedented treble as they won the FA Cup and Champions League too.

Immortalised forever, it will be no mean feat to topple Pep Guardiola's monopoly on English football. However, if anyone is best placed to do it, it's surely his apprentice turned adversary.

Kai Havertz promises to add some additional firepower, whilst Jurrien Timber would provide depth and immense quality to the full-back and midfield spots. Declan Rice is another hopeful addition, leaving almost every role bolstered except for one: a true centre-back.

For all the qualities of the Dutchman, it is clear he has transcended beyond being solely a defender. Still, the Gunners require viable competition for Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, and yet they could even seek to displace one should reports be true.

After all, it could be argued that the potential acquisition of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace has the necessary qualities to take over from the hulking Brazilian, and is available for around £50m.

Would Marc Guehi improve Arsenal?

As a couple of bulky central halves, the England international surprisingly boasts comparable quality in possession to the 25-year-old who has shone of late at the Emirates.

Considering that the Chelsea academy graduate has starred for a far weaker team, maintaining an average rating of 6.94 buoyed by his 85% pass accuracy, 1.2 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and 3.6 clearances per game in the league last term (via Sofascore), his performances are made even more impressive.

Such form was foreseen though, with his former teammate at U21 level, Josef Bursik, having branded him a "brick wall" and an "absolute tank" to play with,

To think that this man is three years younger than Gabriel, and yet outperforms him in all three of these defensive metrics just mentioned, it is a scary prospect to imagine Guehi in a team as good as Arteta's.

He would also prove a more reliable asset too, as the Brazil international committed two penalties last year, making one error leading to a goal, via Sofascore. Whilst the Eagles' star defender made a sole similar error of his own, he could be regarded as far more capable in his own box, having conceded no penalties.

Placing a more defensively capable asset beside the elegance and poise of Sailba could help skyrocket this partnership to levels beyond last season, pushing Gabriel back as a remarkable first reserve on the bench. It would be bold, but Arteta is chasing squad depth that only rivals Manchester City can boast.

Saliba could benefit from such a move too, with the Frenchman ranking in the top 7% for pass completion percentage when compared to other centre-backs across Europe. That ball-playing excellence could be further improved with this 6-foot warrior beside him.

Such a transfer would no doubt add the requisite depth needed to compete further with the Citizens, whilst also complying with the club's model of trusting in the quality that youth can bring.

Guehi's future is so bright, and arguably he is already at a level above his potential new teammate. His signing could be the final piece needed to make Arsenal true challengers.

One of the most sensational rumours that have emerged from the current transfer window is talk of Kylian Mbappe making a staggering move to Liverpool.

It is no surprise, especially when you consider the chaotic and circus-like nature that envelops him at Paris Saint-Germain on a daily basis.

The latest twist in this astonishing saga has been reported by The Athletic, which states that the French juggernaut has sent a three-page letter to the forward, accusing him of unsettling the club throughout the summer and giving him an ultimatum deadline of July 31 to make a decision on his future.

The club has stated that he must sign a contract extension or he will be sold, as they refuse to lose the 24-year-old on a free next year. It is understood that PSG feels this is the only option to 'avoid lasting paralysis'.

This has left all of Europe’s biggest clubs sniffing around the globe’s best player, with Liverpool potentially lining up a stunning offer…

What’s the latest on Kylian Mbappe to Liverpool?

According to El Chiringuito TV, Liverpool is set to table a £171m bid for Mbappe to rescue him from his tumultuous situation at the Parc de Princes, a fee that would easily eclipse any previous arrival at Anfield to date.

Who can Kylian Mbappe link up with at Liverpool?

The 5 foot 10 attacker joined PSG back in 2017, forging 260 appearances and 310 goal contributions – a ridiculous record for an insanely talented individual.

He was also the spearhead of his nation’s 2018 World Cup triumph and became the only second player in history to score a hat-trick in the final of the tournament in 2022 against Argentina in Qatar.

His overarching quality has been noted from day one and his youth coach Antonio Riccardi said: “The first time I coached him was when he was six years old. You could tell he was different. Kylian could do much more than the other children. His dribbling was already fantastic and he was much faster than the others. He was the best player I've ever seen in 15 years coaching here. In Paris, there are many talents but I'd never seen a talent like him.”

Having Mbappe partner anyone in the frontline will ultimately improve the player and this would be particularly beneficial for Darwin Nunez, who endured an inconsistent debut season in England. The Uruguayan netted 15 goals in 42 outings last term, but in a transitional season for Liverpool, that saw long-term injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, Nunez failed to reliably deliver.

Nevertheless, on multiple occasions, the 24-year-old showcased his burning pace, clever movement, and expertly-timed runs – three traits that have become trademarks of Mbappe’s devastatingly effective style of play.

With Nunez having been allowed a season to acclimate and adapt to the Premier League, the addition of Mbappe – who has been hailed as "phenomenal" by Manchester City's Erling Haaland – and his positional interchange with the former Benfica star could be a sickeningly efficient tactic next term.

Having the mercurial Frenchman competing against the robotic inevitability of Haaland is another mouth-watering storyline of this story, but it remains a pipe dream in what appears a never-ending saga.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, as Mauricio Pochettino prepares for his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Argentine arrives on the back of a dreadful campaign for the Blues, who recorded their lowest Premier League finish since 1994, finishing 12th after a disjointed year in west London.

Things are looking up for the club, with the appointment of Pochettino and a seemingly strong clearout of players not seen up to par in terms of the project ahead, sparking rumours that Todd Boehly could spend lavishly again this summer.

Are Chelsea signing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic?

As reported by Italian news outlet Il Tempo – relayed by Sport Witness – earlier this week, Lazio midfielder Milinkovic-Savic is the latest player to emerge as a potential target to take over in midfield for the Blues.

The report claims that Pochettino will require a midfielder considering the sales made this summer, with the club reported to have ‘shown interest’ in the Serbian gem.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito claimed that the club ‘won’t go below €30m’ (£26m) in considering offers for the 28-year-old, who they risk losing next summer for free with his contract set to expire.

How could Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fit in at Chelsea?

Lauded as a “top talent” by journalist Liam Canning, the 28-year-old could be a vital asset for Pochettino to integrate into his midfield.

Deployed primarily as a central midfielder, the Serbian has been instrumental both in the final third and in acting as a sweeper in the engine room for Lazio.

In 36 Serie A appearances for his club last season, the midfielder contributed to 17 goals, scoring nine himself and assisting eight in an impressive feat in front of goal for the dominating midfielder, via FBref.

For Chelsea, his talents could make him the perfect candidate to partner record-signing Enzo Fernandez who could have his full potential unlocked by having the experienced 28-year-old playing alongside him.

The Argentine gem ranked in the top 1% of players in the Premier League based on his frequency of dispatching progressive passes with relativity to his minutes played, averaging a mammoth 9.77 per 90, via FBref.

Pochettino could unearth a dynamic pivot in midfield by pairing Enzo with Milinkovic-Savic, with the two displaying similar yet opposing strengths that could fuse them as the perfect duo.

While the Argentine flexes an innate passing ability, as highlighted by his 88.1% pass accuracy rate per 90, the Serbian could offer defensive cover worthy of supporting his potential counterpart to benefit both ends of play for Chelsea.

As per FBref, the Lazio gem averaged a mammoth 2.86 aerial wins per 90 in Serie A, contrasting to Fernandez’s 0.41 per 90 in the Premier League.

The 6 foot 3 midfielder averaged 7.4 total duel wins per game for the Eagles in the league, as well as winning possession 0.7 times per game and producing 1.6 tackles, via Sofascore.

Despite being slightly more defensively competent than the Chelsea whizz, the Spanish-born ace flexes an impressive playmaking ability, displayed through his 14 big chances created in Serie A last term to go alongside his applaudable goal contribution tally.

Pochettino could do the £106.8m midfielder a favour in hiring Milinkovic-Savic as his partner, in a deal that could prove to be dominant in the Premier League.

Manchester United are in the market to find their next superstar to take on the number nine role at Old Trafford and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target who could be perfect for the role.

Will Randal Kolo Muani sign for Man United?

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are continuing talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani this summer.

As per the report, Erik ten Hag is keen to have a new striker in place before his squad returns for pre-season training and the Red Devils are continuing to hold discussions for their main centre-forward targets with Kolo Muani named alongside Rasmus Hojlund.

Is Kolo Muani a good prospect for Man United?

There is no doubt that the signing of a striker will be the top priority for Ten Hag in his pursuit to rebuild the squad and lead the club back to dominance in both domestic football and on the European stage.

The Red Devils failed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese superstar made a shock departure just a few months into last season and instead secured a six-month loan for Wout Weghorst which spectacularly failed with the Dutchman only finding the back of the net twice during his short spell.

As a result, the signing of Kolo Muani would be a major coup for Ten Hag if he can secure a deal for the talented titan this summer and could spark a dangerous goal-threatening partnership between the Frankfurt ace and Marcus Rashford next season.

Over 46 appearances last term, the 24-year-old France international scored 23 goals and delivered 17 assists in all competitions, with a goal contribution every 91 minutes, an output that would be incredibly valuable to Ten Hag.

In fact, no Man United player was able to match Kolo Muani's impressive output in front of goal with Rashford the only player coming close to his numbers with 39 goal contributions in all competitions last season.

Therefore, combining the England international's goal threat with Kolo Muani's could set the team's attack up as a devastating force for years to come.

The talented 6 foot 1 goal machine – who has a reported €90m (£77m) price tag – has been the recipient of high praise for his standout performances in the Bundesliga, with former Bayern Munich ace and Sky Sport pundit Lothar Matthäus claiming:

"Kolo Muani is a major asset for the Bundesliga. He has remarkable technical ability, he's ice-cold in front of goal and he really throws himself into challenges.

"The most impressive thing is that he's performing in every game. I can't remember a match where he's played badly. That's the mark of a future superstar."

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Ten Hag to snap up the services of Kolo Muani this summer.

Indeed, combining his strengths with the prowess of Rashford next season could prove to make Man United unstoppable against their opponents in the Premier League and on the biggest stage of all; the Champions League.