Newcastle United’s status as a Champions League club means they are now are best-placed to win a hotly contested Premier League race for a highly decorated player.
Howe ready for "electric" Liverpool clash
The Magpies’ first home league of the season promises to be a cracker on Monday evening, with champions Liverpool making the trip to St James’ Park.
Relations between the two clubs aren’t exactly strong at the moment, given the Alexander Isak saga, and there is every chance that this is a ferocious game that could boil over at times.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is certainly looking forward to the match, saying in his pre-match press conference that he expects St James’ to be “electric” on Monday.
Once the dust settles after the Liverpool game, attention will return to transfer business for Newcastle, both in terms of keeping Isak and bringing in new signings, and a fresh update has now dropped regarding a potential addition.
Newcastle winning race for Premier League defender
According to a new report from Caught Offside, Newcastle are in the best position to sign £35m-rated Manchester City defender Nathan Ake this summer. They are “better placed to match the ambitions” of the Dutchman than fellow suitors Everton and West Ham, because they “can offer continental competition this season and the promise of a prominent role in their squad”.
Last week, it was reported that the Magpies were looking to hijack the Toffees’ move for Ake, and they now appear to be in pole position to win the race, should he follow the likes of Jack Grealish and leave the Eithad in search of more regular playing time.
Manchester City's Nathan Ake
Ake ticks so many boxes for Newcastle at a time when defensive reinforcements are needed, possessing experience, a winning mentality and versatility.
The 30-year-old can flourish as both a centre-back and a left-back, and Pep Guardiola has spoken glowingly about his defender in the past.
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In truth, there aren’t many negatives to Newcastle signing Ake, with the Netherlands international having the potential to enjoy a Kieran Trippier-like impact, coming in during the autumn of his career but offering a huge amount on and off the pitch.
Pakistan’s left-arm wristspinner makes hay as Zimbabwe lose ten wickets for 20 runs to be bowled out for 57 and concede the T20I series
Danyal Rasool03-Dec-2024Sufiyan Muqeem spun a web around Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, registering the best figures by a Pakistan bowler in T20Is as his team crushed Zimbabwe by ten wickets to seal the T20I series.Zimbabwe were skittled for 57, losing their ten wickets over a 20-run period as they fell to their lowest total in T20I cricket. In response, Pakistan coasted to the total with 14.3 overs to spare, marking the biggest win by balls remaining between two Full Members in men’s T20I cricket.Zimbabwe start well, before collapsingDifficult to believe in hindsight, but Zimbabwe got off to a flying start. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani took the attack to Jahandad Khan and Abrar Ahmed, blasting the ball through the infield with superb timing and power on what looked a cracking batting surface – when Sikandar Raza won the toss, he had no hesitation batting first.Even Haris Rauf’s introduction didn’t stanch the bleeding, Bennett showing his deft skills and picking up two boundaries behind point on the off side. By the end of the fourth over, Zimbabwe sat pretty at 37 for 0.But what happened after that was as dramatic as it was ignominious for Zimbabwe.Abbas Afridi had Marumani slash one straight to cover-point, and once that wicket-maiden was complete, Rauf removed Bennett off the first ball of the next over. Zimbabwe needed to rebuild, but never came close to achieving a second wind. Seven balls later came the dagger blow as one snaked back in from Afridi and made a mess of Raza’s stumps.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhen Salman Agha brought himself on, he had Dion Myers plumb in front off just his fourth delivery before Muqeem took over. Using the conventional wristspinner and the wrong’un, he had Zimbabwe’s lower-middle order on a string. Ryan Burl was fooled by a googly that struck his pad in front of middle, while Tashinga Musekiwa had no answer to another wrong’un that knocked back his stumps for a golden duck. Clive Madande survived the hat-trick ball, but Muqeem returned to remove another two in his following over, and eventually finished off the innings when Madande top-edged him. He finished with figures of 2.4-0-3-5.Easy chase, easily done by PakistanThere was nothing complicated about Pakistan’s chase, and the openers knew it.Raza bowled the first over but Omair Yousuf took 11 off it to set the tone.Saim Ayub got into the act with a lovely late adjustment that saw him carve Richard Ngarava over the slips for a boundary. Blessing Muzarabani’s poor series continued with both Ayub and Yousuf sending him to the fence, the latter scything him over deep point for six with a shot that oozed confidence.Ayub wasn’t to be outdone, and there was time enough for his signature shot: a whip off Trevor Gwandu off the pads behind square leg for six. It was Muzarabani’s errant line once more that allowed Ayub to pick up two more boundaries that finished the game off.It was telling of how little Zimbabwe had tested Pakistan that, on a blazing hot day in Bulawayo, when the openers took their helmets off and shook hands, there was barely a bead of sweat on their foreheads.
As Unai Emery builds towards his third full season in charge of Aston Villa, the future of Ollie Watkins looms large.
With Manchester United heavily linked with a move for the England international and Villa walking a tightrope with Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), the club may be forced into tough decisions this summer.
Watkins, fresh off the back of a third straight Premier League season with 15 or more goals, has become an indispensable figure at Villa Park.
However, the lure of a new challenge could test both his loyalty and the club’s resolve.
To keep their accounts in order, Villa have already sanctioned the €77m (£64m) sale of Jhon Durán and are now weighing up offers for Emiliano Martínez.
Yet any replacement for Watkins would need to be more than a stopgap – they’d need to match his work rate, creativity, and eye for goal.
As Villa look to avoid a post-Watkins drop-off, attention has turned to one of the Bundesliga’s brightest talents, a striker whose profile mirrors that of Watkins in both style and output.
Aston Villa seeking Watkins successor
According to German outlet BILD Aston Villa have identified RB Leipzig’s Loïs Openda as a key target should Watkins leave this summer.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that Villa are monitoring the Belgian striker closely, and Openda is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League – though no formal talks have taken place.
The 25-year-old is under contract at Leipzig until 2028 and has a release clause of €80m.
However, BILD reports that a fee of around €70m (£60m) could be enough to tempt the Bundesliga side into selling, if Villa were to lodge a bid, particularly in light of their disappointing 2023/24 campaign.
While Openda has not formally asked to leave, sources close to the club suggest he has expressed frustration behind the scenes – especially as key teammates Xavi Simons and Benjamin Šeško are also linked with summer exits.
Phillipe Clement, who managed Openda at Club Brugge, has no doubts about the striker’s suitability for top-level football.
“He’s super-fast but he also has an eye for goal and will be decisive,” he said. “In difficult times, he’s someone who remains combative. That’s an important quality in life and as a player.”
Lois Openda in action.
With Openda valued highly by Leipzig, who paid €40m (£34m) to sign him from Lens in 2023, any move would depend heavily on Watkins’ future.
Why Openda could be the perfect Watkins successor
According to FBref, Openda is one of the most statistically similar players to Watkins in Europe’s top five leagues. On closer inspection, the comparison holds up well.
Goal Involvements (2024/25)
Stat
Watkins
Openda
Goals
16
9
Assists
8
5
Total
24
14
Source: FBref
Openda’s non-penalty expected goals (8.2) were not far off Watkins’ (13.2), and both maintained strong conversion rates – Openda netting nine non-penalty goals to Watkins’ 14.
The Belgian also excels in areas that Villa fans have grown to expect from their lead striker. His progressive carries per 90 minutes (2.12) edge Watkins’ (1.90), and he creates more shot-creating actions (2.42 vs. 1.84).
He also attempts and completes more passes per 90 (13.8 vs. 10.6), though Watkins boasts the better pass completion rate (72.4% to 63.8%).
In front of goal, the differences are subtle.
Watkins slightly edges Openda in shots per 90 (2.84 vs. 2.82) and shots on target per 90 (1.25 vs. 1.14), but both players hover around the same shot-on-target percentage — 43.9% for Watkins, 40.3% for Openda.
Perhaps most intriguing is Openda’s dribbling output. He completes 0.81 successful take-ons per 90 compared to Watkins’ 0.35, with a higher success rate (29.7% to 24.4%).
While not elite figures, they show Openda’s willingness to beat defenders, an attribute Emery may want more of from his next No.9.
There are areas where Watkins still holds the edge. He wins the ball more in the attacking third (0.14 tackles per 90 compared to Openda’s 0.07) and has better discipline and decision-making in link-up play.
But Openda’s progressive passing distance (36.5 yards per 90) compared to Watkins’ 22.7 suggests greater vertical intent, something Emery’s side could lean into more, especially in Europe.
RB Leipzig's Lois Openda and Xavi Simons.
With 27 Belgium caps to his name, Openda isn’t just a runner or a poacher.
He’s a complete modern forward.
Dynamic, intelligent, and tactically flexible enough to play wide if needed.
If Watkins were to leave, replacing him would be no easy task. But in Loïs Openda, Villa may have found the closest thing to a like-for-like successor.
A forward who mirrors Watkins’ strengths but brings additional tools that Emery could sharpen even further.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Villa have proved savvy in the market under Emery, blending data-led recruitment with tactical clarity.
Should they pull off a deal for Openda, it could prove one of the most pivotal transfers of their Europa League campaign and another sign of the club’s growing ambition.
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With Callum Osmand signed and delivered, Celtic have now reportedly turned their attention towards another young talent in what is a hectic race for his signature.
Osmand "really excited" by Celtic move
Following Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren and Ross Doohan through the door, Osman officially put pen to paper at Celtic earlier this week. Arriving from Fulham, the 19-year-old will have his sights set on breaking into Brendan Rodgers’ first-team plans as soon as possible in Scotland.
After arriving, the young striker told Celtic’s official website: “It’s a massive move. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to step out at Celtic Park in front of all the fans.
“The winning mentality at Celtic is obviously unbelievable and I want to win trophies here. Every game that I step into here, I want to win, and I feel like we have all the facilities, players and staff to do so.”
The former Fulham man is also not the first to swap the Cottagers for Celtic Park, with Moussa Dembele and Matt O’Riley paving the way before Osmand, who took the chance to mention both players: “Obviously, there has been multiple names that have come to Celtic like Moussa Dembele and Matt O’Riley.
“I have spoken to Matt on the phone, so he has given me advice. He talked me through some stuff, that I knew about too. He was telling me about how big the club is, how amazing the fans are and it’s a new life really. So excited is definitely the word for me.”
Following Osmand’s arrival, Celtic’s focus isn’t destined to change anytime soon. Reports are now indicating that they’ve now instantly turned their attention towards signing another impressive young talent.
Celtic join race to sign "special" O'Sullivan
According to the Irish Independent, Celtic have now joined the race to sign Cathal O’Sullivan from Irish club Cork City this summer. It will be a complex deal to do, as the Scottish champions have joined the likes of Brentford and Preston North End in an already hectic battle to land the 18-year-old midfielder.
Like Osmand, O’Sullivan is full of talent and has often found himself at the centre of praise as a result. When speaking about one of Ireland’s top young talents, former Preston and current Cork City forward Sean Maguire told reporters: “He’s one of the best young fellas I’ve played with, and that includes in England. Not just because of his talent, it’s just his attitude towards everything.
More exciting than Inamura & Osmand: Celtic could sign "jaw-dropping" star
Celtic could land a signing that is more exciting than Callum Osmand and Hayato Inamura with this star.
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“That’s what teams in England will look for first, because you can just see it clear as day how good he is on the ball. He’s a joy to play with. When he eventually goes to England, I’ll be gutted not to play with him again, because of how good he is. “
“But I’ll be keeping tabs on his career, because he’ll definitely play for Ireland. He’s that good. I genuinely think he’s special… Whatever the club gets from him, he probably should be worth 10 times more.”
يغيب هاني أبو ريدة، رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، عن مرافقة بعثة منتخب مصر المتجهة إلى بوركينا فاسو.
وتطير بعثة منتخب مصر، اليوم الأحد إلى بوركينا فاسو، على متن طائرة خاصة في رحلة تستغرق أكثر من ست ساعات.
طالع.. خاص | موقف اتحاد الكرة من إقامة مباراة ودية بين مصر والبرازيل
وقر أبو ريدة عم مرافقة البعثة بعد تعرضه لنزلة برد نصحه الأطباء على إثرها بتجنب مخالطة أعضاء البعثة حفاظًا على سلامتهم.
وتم تكليف خالد الدرندلي، نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة الاتحاد بمرافقة بعثة منتخب مصر إلى بوركينا فاسو، بدلًا من أبو ريدة.
ومن المقرر أن يلتقي منتخب مصر مع نظيره بوركينا فاسو، يوم الثلاثاء المُقبل الموافق 9 سبتمبر، ضمن الجولة الثامنة، في لقاء قد يكون حاسمًا لتأهل الفراعنة لنهائيات كأس العالم.
Manchester United are ready to make a bid for a “world-class” star, who is now expected to cost €80m (£68m), according to a report.
Man Utd set to spend big despite missing out on Champions League
Man United’s loss against Tottenham Hotspur was disappointing on a number of levels, with suffering a defeat in a European final always tough to take, while the result meant they also missed out on qualification to next season’s Champions League.
Despite missing out on Champions League football, however, the Red Devils have displayed a willingness to splash the cash this summer, and Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth has now explained how they plan to fund their summer transfer business.
Sky Sports: Man Utd also eyeing £60m Mbeumo alternative who Amorim loves
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Sheth said: “A lot of people are saying – how can they afford Cunha, who’s already at the club? Mbeumo, who’s going to cost the thick end of £60m as well, and Viktor Gyokeres, who’s going to cost over £60m as well?
“Well, I don’t think Manchester United, despite all their much-publicised financial issues, are going into a transfer window with £0 to spend.
“They will have a certain budget, which we understand to be covered by Cunha and Mbeumo, and then maybe they will have to make sales.”
The interest in Viktor Gyokeres has been stepped up in recent days, with United making an initial approach for the Sporting CP striker, but there has now been a new update which suggests he could be even more expensive than they anticipated.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
According to a report from Portugal (via Sport Witness), Man United are now ready to make an offer for Gyokeres, but Sporting are set to hold out for a fee of €80m (£68m), which has left the centre-forward ‘furious’.
Sporting increasing their asking price has unsettled the forward, given that a fee of €60m -€75m (£51m – £64m) had previously been touted, and he has now removed references to the club from his social media accounts.
"World-class" Gyokeres deserves summer move
Having led Sporting to Liga Portugal and Taca de Portugal glory, the Sweden international has earned the chance to prove himself at one of Europe’s top clubs, and it is understandable that he is angry the club could now price him out of a move.
That said, it is also clear to see why the Portuguese side are reluctant to sanction a departure for a fee that does not reflect the 27-year-old’s value, having performed remarkably well across some key attacking metrics over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90
Non-penalty goals
0.87 (99th percentile)
Assists
0.22 (91st percentile)
Progressive carries
4.27 (99th percentile)
Successful take-ons
1.93 (98th percentile)
Lauded as “world-class” by one analyst, Gyokeres has shown he is more than ready to test himself in the Premier League, and it is exciting news that Man United are now ready to make an offer, although it remains to be seen if they can afford to stump up £68m.
Sunday’s clash against Liverpool was always going to be a tough one for Arsenal from a mental perspective.
After crashing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stages, the last place they probably wanted to be was Anfield, the home of the Premier League title winners.
A guard of honour was given and Arsenal actually starting vibrantly, Bukayo Saka missing a chance from a matter of yards out. Here we go again, it’s going to be another one of those days.
Indeed, that certainly looked the case when the Gunners found themselves 2-0 down after 21 minutes. This was the perfect encapsulation of this season. Arsenal could have been two up themselves but squandered their chances and as they found in Paris on Wednesday, they were up against it.
This time, Mikel Arteta’s men rallied and put in a brilliant second-half performance to walk away from Merseyside with a point in their battle to finish inside the top four.
Arsenal's finest performers against Liverpool
While Arteta was left to bemoan some uncharacteristically lapse defending from William Saliba in the first half, shutting off for the second goal, in forward areas, there were some more encouraging signs.
Saka was his usual effervescent self, while Gabriel Martinelli was perhaps the standout player on the away side.
The Brazilian initially started the game on the left flank but a few tactical tweaks at half-time saw a renewed display, not just from Martinelli but the whole side.
Leandro Trossard moved out to the left and Martinelli moved into the centre of the pitch. A matter of minutes into the second half the two attackers combined brilliantly to get Arsenal back into the game.
The Belgian winger crossed into the box, where Arsenal’s number 11 was ready and waiting to head the ball home. In truth, that tactical tweak changed the game. Martinelli made a number of threatening runs in behind that also brought out the best from Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian has had a troubled campaign, only scoring five times, but he looked closer to his best in the second period at Anfield, playing a number of balls towards Martinelli.
Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore
Odegaard also had a vital role to play in the equaliser. Plenty of supporters have bemoaned his unwillingness to shoot from range this season but it was his fierce effort from outside the box that the second goal came from.
The captain unleashed a fizzing drive that Alisson tipped onto the post but Mikel Merino followed up well and headed the rebound into an empty net.
It was yet another crucial moment for the Spaniard who has enjoyed a fabulous back end of the season. Well, that was until he was given a red card for a late challenge on Dominik Szoboszlai, a tackle that saw him branded with a second yellow card.
Still, Merino was far from the worst player on the pitch.
Arsenal's poorest performers against Liverpool
Arsenal’s defending since Gabriel got injured certainly hasn’t been the best but one has to commend the displays of Jakub Kiwior who notably stood out in the two-legged win over Real Madrid.
That being said, it hasn’t been plain sailing for Saliba who, without Gabriel, doesn’t look quite as assured at the back.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The French titan is no doubt a fabulous player, but there have been some nervy moments for the centre-back when playing out from the back. He also switched off completely for Liverpool’s opening goal.
Despite grabbing an assist, it was largely an afternoon to forget for Trossard too, whose woes were compounded in the 78th minute when he was substituted with an apparent hamstring injury.
For Arsenal, that is not good news, particularly after Merino’s late red card. Who Arsenal will play up top against Newcastle next week is anyone’s guess.
Either way, Arteta should consider axing him from the team. Even if it’s not fully from the team, he should be axed as the main centre forward.
In the words of Arsenal writer Connor Humm, the £27m signing is a “waste of time” as a striker, not boasting the physicality to hold the ball up and perhaps also lacking the sort of runs we ultimately saw from Martinelli down the centre when they swapped positions.
Trossard vs Liverpool
Minutes played
78
Touches
61
Accurate passes
31/36 (86%)
Shots on target
1
Shots off target
1
Successful dribbles
3/5
Key passes
2
Accurate crosses
1/3
Duels won
7/13
Possession lost
16x
Stats via Sofascore.
Trossard only won seven of his 13 contested duels during the clash and failed to have a single shot on target. To make matters worse, he also lost the ball on 16 occasions. That isn’t what you need from a role that requires bringing others into play.
There was a wasteful moment that rather summed up his topsy-turvy season in the first 45 minutes. Arsenal pressed well in Liverpool’s penalty area and won the ball back. However, neither Partey nor Trossard took control of the situation and waited for each other to pick up the possession. Had either done so, it probably would have been a goal. Instead, the chance went begging.
Moments like that are why the Belgium international has frustrated supporters so often this season. There is talk of a new contract and perhaps he might deserve one. There aren’t many better squad players in Arteta’s ranks.
However, if Arsenal are going to sign one or two attackers, Trossard should be given the boot to accommodate them.
He's just like an "early Henry": Arsenal begin work to sign £85m winger
Arsenal are in the market for more firepower this summer,
Everton have improved since David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche at the helm, but recent results have underscored the need for new attacking quality.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to leave as a free agent at the end of the season, while Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom and Armando Broja’s loan deals all conclude in two months.
However, while The Friedkin Group are going to sign forwards of various shapes and sizes, Moyes is also keen to strengthen his midfield, already focusing on a specific profile.
David Moyes
The target in question has plied under the Scotsman’s leadership for several years, and could prove an astute piece of business.
Everton transfer news
Despite the transfer window not yet open for business, the Toffees have already started putting plans into motion with the likes of Monaco’s striking sensation, Mika Biereth, linked with a move to Goodison Park.
Also on their radar is Liverpool’s Ben Doak, yet on this occasion, it looks as though Moyes is targeting experience.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, as per Football Insider, Moyes is targeting a reunion with West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek, having fielded the 30-year-old 207 times during his time at the Irons helm, more than any other player.
Tomas Soucek scores for West Ham
Though newly-promoted Leeds United are also chasing a deal for Soucek, who is valued at £10m, it’s understood that Everton have the lead in the race given the Czech international’s relationship with Moyes.
Why Tomas Soucek would be perfect for Everton
Soucek has been at West Ham for half a decade, signing on an initial loan from Slavia Prague in January 2020 before completing a £19m deal that summer.
West Ham's Tomas Soucek
The 6 foot 3 ace would bring physicality to the Everton midfield and might prove to be the perfect replacement for Amadou Onana, who was sold to Aston Villa for £50m last summer.
Described as a “midfield powerhouse” by journalist Antonio Mango, Onana’s presence has been missed on Merseyside, but Soucek could bring his own take on the role next year, working hard in the duel while making darting runs into the danger area to complement the frontline.
Matches (starts)
31 (26)
22 (17)
Goals
8
3
Assists
1
0
Touches*
37.6
40.2
Pass completion
75%
89%
Key passes*
0.5
0.3
Dribble success
55%
79%
Ball recoveries*
1.7
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.9
3.2
Duels (won)*
5.2 (54%)
4.8 (60%)
As you can see, Onana might be more rounded than Soucek, but the latter man has a killer instinct in the final third, which scant few Toffees players have showcased with regularity this year.
West Ham have only created 50 big chances in the Premier League this season, with just the relegated trio making fewer. This actually shines a positive light on Soucek, whose skill at finding space and striking true has seen him score eight times.
It’s no surprise he’s been called a “machine” by former West Ham correspondent Tom Clark, adding intensity and initiative to his fold.
In fact, the £90k-per-week talent ranks among the top 2% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored and the top 1% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref, further illustrating his combativeness and indeed goalscoring strength.
Everton fans have tasted first-hand the midfielder’s goalscoring ability and must now forge ahead to make a shrewd signing which might just pay dividends, adding an Onana-esque presence at Bramley Moore.
Soucek may not be the fluid ball player that Graham Potter wants at the heart of his West Ham system, but Moyes enforces a different type of brand, one which the veteran midfielder would dovetail right into if Everton make their move in the coming months.
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Alex Malcolm13-Nov-2025Usman Khawaja is intent on running his own race as far as talk about the end of his Test career goes.There are plenty who think that race has already been run and his career should have ended before this summer. But right now, that decision appears to be in his hands and he’s not giving any hints as to when he may finish.That can change quickly. Australia’s selectors have recently been accused, rightly or wrongly, of shirking the tough calls. They may face one of their toughest as a panel midway through the Ashes if Khawaja struggles early and Australia struggle more broadly.Related
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Switch Hit x Final Word: Ashes story time special
Khawaja finds himself at a full-circle moment. He is already the oldest opener to play for Australia in over 70 years, at 38. He will be the oldest player to represent Australia in 40 years if he gets to the third Test in Adelaide, when he will turn 39 on day two.He might not have been given the opportunity to play Test cricket so deep into his 30s if not for an extraordinary sliding-doors scenario.In August of 2019 he had been dropped for the sixth, and what he thought was, the final time from the Test team, having played the previous 20 Tests as a permanent member of Australia’s top three.The summers of 2019-20, 2020-21, and early 2021-22 were spent batting at No. 4 for Queensland and dominating the Sheffield Shield. Then Travis Head tested positive for Covid on the eve of the 2022 New Year’s Test against England at the SCG. Khawaja was recalled at age 35 and scored twin hundreds in the match batting at No. 5.Usman Khawaja soaks in the SCG’s ovation during his stunning 2022 comeback•Getty Images”Looking back on it, it seems like a fairy tale,” Khawaja said. “It literally does. I wasn’t supposed to play.”The circumstances for me actually just to play were bizarre enough. But then to actually go out there and score a hundred in the first innings and then somehow to back it up in the next innings too. It’s such a rare feat to do, particularly in an Ashes.”It was the best individual cricketing moment of my life. So it’s very special, something I’ll never forget. I’m very grateful it happened.”Since that moment, Khawaja has not missed a Test match and has been statistically Australia’s best batter over the four-year period, scoring more runs at a higher average than any other.He was Player of the Series in Pakistan in 2022, made his highest Test score against South Africa in Sydney, made a century in India and was the leading run-scorer on either side in the 2023 Ashes. He was ICC Test player of the year in 2023 and a pivotal part of the 2023 World Test Championship title.
He has also become one of the team’s best-ever openers despite being recalled initially in the middle order. Only three Australian openers have scored more runs at a higher average than Khawaja. His success and versatility may partially explain the selectors’ belief that batting positions don’t matter.Khawaja credits his time away from the Test team as a major reason for his late-career renaissance.”I realised that my life didn’t have to be good just because I was playing cricket for Australia, which was nice to know,” he said. “I think the last four years, it’s allowed me to just play, just enjoy it, whether I’m playing well, whether I’m not, whether we’re winning, whether we’re losing.”Just have a bit of perspective that nothing lasts forever either. So it has helped coming back. I’ve really enjoyed my last four years probably more so than I enjoyed any time before then, because it was the feeling, the vibe, my mentality was probably a little bit different. So, very lucky that I got to experience the last four years and enjoy playing the game that I love.”When it comes to Khawaja trying to stretch his career beyond his 39th birthday, no one can begrudge him wanting to do so, having missed multiple years of Test cricket despite being one of Australia’s best six batters for most of that time.Usman Khawaja’s double-century against Sri Lanka this year is his only hundred in his last 43 Test innings•Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty ImagesBut there is a debate as to whether he still sits in that category.He bristles at such questions, often citing that he is Australia’s leading run-scorer over the last four years and that he was ICC Test player of the year. But there is a clear dividing line between his performances in 2022 and 2023 and his last two years.Since the end of the 2023 Ashes he has passed 50 just four times in 35 innings. Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne have both made more 50-plus scores in the same period and both have been dropped.The pitches Australia have played on have not helped. Khawaja has been vocal about how difficult they are, and he’s not wrong. His average over the last 18 Tests is 32.78. Head, regarded by many as one of Australia’s best batters right now alongside Steven Smith, has only averaged 34.16 in the same period but has two more centuries.Khawaja also felt he had been Jasprit Bumrah-ed last summer, and Australia’s hierarchy believed that was his one and only problem.There’s evidence to support that argument. Facing the non-Bumrah division of pace bowlers over the last two years, Khawaja averages the same as Smith and Head, seven runs per dismissal more than Labuschagne and more than twice as many as Sam Konstas.
But there’s also evidence to suggest there are other issues against high-calibre pace bowling. While Bumrah dismissed him six times at an average of 5.66, Matt Henry, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammed Siraj have all knocked him over three times in the last two years. He averaged 31 against Siraj and under 24 against the rest, including 13 against Henry. Kagiso Rabada also bowled 28 deliveries at Khawaja in the WTC final and dismissed him twice while conceding just one run.There is a very clear plan of attack to Khawaja now. In the last two years, fast bowlers have dismissed him 19 times from around the wicket, at a cost of just 19.47, including his last eight dismissals in a row, compared to eight dismissals at 40.87 from over the wicket.That is a huge shift from the first 12 years of his career, where he averaged 48.08 against pace bowlers from around the wicket, and 42.30 from over.It is those numbers, combined with the threat of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in particular, given the latter’s exceptional record against left-handers, that has led to concerns about Khawaja’s position in the upcoming series. But chair of selectors George Bailey rebuked those concerns last week.”If you look at when he goes back and plays Shield cricket, he still stacks up very well,” Bailey said.”There’s a very clear method, he’s an experienced player, it’s a big series in terms of the intensity of spotlight, I think his experience at the crease and the other players around him can be complementary to the rest of the team.Usman Khawaja started the 2025-26 season with solid returns for Queensland•Getty Images”We’ve spoken a lot about the challenges of some of the wickets that the guys have played on. And I think when he goes back and he gets on the good batting surfaces, I think we’ve seen some good performances.”Khawaja has been the only Sheffield Shield opener over the past two years to average above 50. Campbell Kellaway (46.38) and Khawaja’s potential new Test opening partner Jake Weatherald (45.11) have been the only others to average above 38.There are parallels with the end of Ricky Ponting’s career. Ponting struggled at Test level in his final summer of 2012-13 but he finished that same season as the Shield’s leading run-scorer, with 911 at 75.91.The enduring image of Ponting’s final days in the Test arena was that of him, Australia’s all-time leading run-scorer, on all fours in the middle of Adelaide Oval having slipped while being clean bowled by a 129kph outswinger.As was the case with Ponting, nothing lasts forever. The end can come quickly, even when there’s evidence to the contrary at the level below.Khawaja’s faith in himself, and the selectors’ faith in him, has been unshakeable over the past four years. Something that cannot be said for his first ten in Test cricket.How long that faith lasts is up to Khawaja if he wishes to end the race on his own terms.
Teenage spinner befuddles Pakistan before opener lays base for another slice of Chennai history
Deivarayan Muthu23-Oct-20231:50
Bond: ‘There was a real calmness about Afghanistan’s chase’
When Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi swats Shaheen Shah Afridi to the square-leg boundary and lets out a primal roar, Chepauk roars with him. Around the same time, fireworks go off in Kabul and fans throng the streets to celebrate Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI victory over rivals Pakistan.Cut to Chennai: Rashid Khan, wearing an Afghanistan flag around his neck, is tearing in to hug his captain. Mohammad Nabi, too, storms onto the field and just can’t hide his emotions. Gulbadin Naib, who captained Afghanistan in the last World Cup, is being lifted by Riaz Hassan. Chants of “Rashid! Rashid! Rashid” ring around Chepauk when he breaks into a jig with Irfan Pathan.Rashid puts his dancing shoes on once again during the post-match celebrations in the dressing room, but this landmark win was fashioned by the less-starry names: Noor Ahmad and Ibrahim Zadran.Related
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Okay, Noor is already a T20 globetrotter at 18, but before Monday had played just three ODIs and 11 List A games. After Afghanistan’s defeat to New Zealand on Wednesday – Noor wasn’t picked for that game – he looked understandably clueless when he was sent for a post-match media interaction. Five days later, he made it to the XI and made the Pakistan batters look clueless.Firstly, it’s fiendishly difficult to break into a spin attack that already includes Rashid, Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman. Secondly, Noor was on World Cup debut. But the teenager outshone his seniors, taking out three of Pakistan’s top four, including Babar Azam.Noor is more or less a left-arm version of Rashid. The mystery comes from the different grips he uses and he can gather pace off the pitch. His whippy action makes it tougher for batters to pick him. Abdullah Shafique didn’t pick his slider and fell lbw after missing the sweep for 58.Mohammad Rizwan is among the best sweepers in the world since the end of the last World Cup. So, he tried to put Noor off with the shot; but Noor went wide of the crease and hid the ball away from Rizwan’s reach. The batter could only splice a top edge to short fine leg.
Afghanistan Cricket Fans and Supporters are celebrating this massive win over @TheReaPCB on the streets of Kabul! #AfghanAtalan | #CWC23 | #AFGvPAK | #WarzaMaidanGata pic.twitter.com/JZ2Rb0S4C9
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 23, 2023
The mood – and the tempo – of the match changed when Babar pumped Noor over his head for six in the 42nd over. The Chennai crowd got right behind the Pakistan captain. However, after pushing one into the swinging arc, Noor dragged his length back and got some fizz off the track to silence both Babar and Chepauk. Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott can even feel that “fizz” during training.”You know, you take the mitt to him, you’re standing up when he’s practising, you hear that ball fizzing,” Trott said at his post-match press conference. “So, it’s a real talent for such a young lad to be able to get that many revs on the ball and spin it the amount he does. That’s all I say to him, just keep spinning it as much as you can. So, they’re really happy for him.”On an average, Noor drew one false shot every four balls against Pakistan. Afghanistan’s team management also deserves credit for picking him over left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi on a black-soil Chennai surface.”I think whenever Afghanistan plays, the way the spinners bowl is going to be important,” Trott said. “I think it’s a case of just having a look at the conditions. I thought we got it right with Noor today coming in and the way that he bowled, certainly for a youngster as well. The way that he bowled and started really well and then got a few wickets and a bit of momentum.”Again, there’s always things we can work on but you know that’s what the likes of the IPL does for countries like Afghanistan. Exposes players from a young age to playing in front of big crowds and under pressure situations. I think he played in the IPL final, you know, and for a youngster of his age, it’s an amazing experience for him. So, he can bring that experience to here and put in performances like he did. So really pleasing and the more players you can get playing around the world, the better.”Noor Ahmad trapped Abdullah Shafique for the first of his three wickets•Associated PressIbrahim is three years older than Noor, and his game is more suited to ODIs than T20 cricket. He doesn’t bash the ball like his opening partner Rahmanullah Gurbaz, he doesn’t play the snake shot like Rashid does, or launch big sixes like Nabi does. But he offers the line-up stickability, something that Afghanistan have lacked for a while.On Monday, he batted till the 34th over, effectively killing off Pakistan’s defence. His back-foot drives in the powerplay and assured footwork against Pakistan’s legspinners might not be part of the highlights package, but he got the job done for his side.After 24 ODI innings, Ibrahim has 1084 runs at an average of almost 50, with four centuries. In terms of average, he is already among the best in the world.Trott believes that greater T20 exposure – Ibrahim has played in the BPL for Fortune Barishal – can help the opener expand his range in other formats as well.”You know he’s scored four hundreds already for such a young age and unfortunately didn’t get another one tonight,” Trott said. “But I think if he did get a little bit more exposure in franchise cricket, he would develop that side of his game as well. He plays in our T20 side and is a fantastic player. So, the more exposure he can get in franchises, I’m not saying he has to play IPL, any league around the world develops his T20 skills. I think it will have a good knock-on effect in his 50 over cricket and Test cricket as well.”But it’s not just the format, it’s more the playing under pressure, big crowds, different conditions, learning to play. And that’s the test of the modern player nowadays is to be able to play in all different conditions you know you go to Australian bouncy wickets and spinning wickets here in the subcontinent. It’s good for young players.”In 1999, Pakistan toppled India in Chennai and lap of honour became a part of history. Twenty-four years on, Afghanistan toppled Pakistan at the same venue and did a lap of honour that could become as historic.