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The PCB is planning to invite top officials of the ICC to witness the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka to get a first-hand view of the security arrangements

Cricinfo staff13-Jan-2009The Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to invite top officials of the ICC to witness the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka to get a first-hand view of the security arrangements for visiting teams and to attempt to change the perception of Pakistan as an unsafe place to tour.Salim Altaf, the PCB’s chief operating officer, said the chairman Ijaz Butt is also planning to invite Jack Clarke, Cricket Australia’s chairman, to Pakistan when they meet in Perth on January 31 for the ICC Executive Board meeting.”There is a big possibility that the PCB chairman will invite his counterparts in ICC and Cricket Australia to visit Pakistan during the Test series (against Sri Lanka),” Altaf told the .”The Sri Lanka series in Pakistan can be used as a yardstick by the ICC and Cricket Australia. Now that the series against India is not happening, the only opportunity for others to see for themselves that Pakistan is a safe destination for cricket is the series against Sri Lanka.”Pakistan have been hit hard by pull-outs over security fears over the last year. A tour by Australia and the Champions Trophy were postponed to 2009 while India cancelled their scheduled tour for January following the Mumbai terror attacks. Sri Lanka had agreed to tour the country to fill in for India and will play three ODIs this month before returning in February for two Tests.The series opens in Karachi on January 21. Altaf said the board will provide VVIP security cover for all players and officials.

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to replace the departed Xherdan Shaqiri.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Il Secolo XIX (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO), the Reds sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in Sampdoria’s curtain-raising encounter with AC Milan.

The report claims that the Reds hoping to complete a deal for Damsgaard and are plotting a ‘decisive assault’ at the prime time to strike a deal, meaning a move to Anfield could be on the cards before the current window concludes.

Jurgen Klopp needs him

Damsgaard rose to major prominence over the summer after starring for Denmark in the European Championship, scoring two goals and providing an assist in five appearances for Kasper Hjulmand’s charges, playing a pivotal part in his nation’s run to the semi-finals of the tournament.

His standout displays have seen the youngster linked to a host of the Premier League’s top clubs in recent weeks, despite him only arriving in Serie A 12 months ago in a £6.08m deal.

The creative talent is a product of the famed Nordsjaelland academy and showed his potential for Sampdoria last term, bagging two goals and providing four assists in 35 top-flight appearances as he settled into life on Italian shores.

Damsgaard also managed 1.5 dribbles per league game, the highest tally amongst his teammates, and played a key role in Sampdoria’s shock 2-1 victory over eventual champions Inter back in January, leading to TV2’s football expert Martin Mikkelsen hailing his compatriot.

“He’s magical – what speed! He is dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions,” Mikkelsen claimed, and Damsgaard has gone from strength to strength ever since.

With Shaqiri joining Ligue 1 giants Lyon, Klopp now has room in his squad for an extra overseas player and should have the required funds to finance a move for the £18m-rated Scandinavian wizard.

It remains to be seen whether a formal offer for Damsgaard occurs before August 31st, but his potential arrival would address a weakness in Liverpool’s first-team squad, one that Klopp needs to address in order to give his side the best chance of fighting on multiple fronts this season.

And, in other news…Liverpool receive boost in pursuit of “incredible” 23-y/o gem, Klopp would love him 

Leicester City have reportedly made contact with Sassuolo ahead of a possible move for winger Domenico Berardi.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato (as relayed by the Leicester Mercury), the Foxes are potentially lining up a January move for the 27-year-old and have already entered talks with the Serie A outfit.

The report states that: “The one between Berardi and Sassuolo is a beautiful, intense marriage, but destined to end soon.

“Domenico has decided to leave the club and has long ago communicated this to the management. There have been some in-depth contacts with Leicester, a track to be followed carefully in view of the January transfer market.

“But several clubs in Serie A are also moving on the strong European champion,” it concludes, meaning director of football Jon Rudkin will have to move quickly in order to secure his transfer target’s services.

He’s a great talent

The powerful and pacey attacked was part of Italy’s victorious squad in this year’s European Championship, providing two assists in six appearances for the Azzurri throughout the tournament.

And his impressive displays at Euro 2020 saw Berardi linked with a move to Leicester and several other top teams across the continent, although he ended up remaining at the Mapei Stadium despite the continued speculation.

However, a winter move now appears to be on the cards, and he could be available at a discount price, with Sassuolo’s hierarchy reportedly dropping their €40 million asking price by five or six million.

With Brendan Rodgers’ currently boasting Marc Albrighton as their only natural option on the right-wing, pulling off a move for the £30m Berardi would provide the current FA Cup holders with added quality and competition in the final third of the pitch.

In 30 Serie A appearances last term, Berardi bagged an outstanding 17 goals, providing a further eight assists for his teammates, highlighting his top-class ability in attack.

Tottenham’s director of football Fabio Paratici has previously commented on the highly-rated winger and admitted that he tried to sign him at Juventus, claiming that he is a “great talent” amid reported interest from Spurs.

Therefore, a move for the Italian ace at the midway point in the campaign would provide a significant boost to Leicester’s top-four hopes as they aim to return to Europe’s elite cup competition.

And, in other news…Lost 67% of his duels: Leicester lightweight had a nightmare outing for his country 

علّق رونالد كومان المدير الفني السابق لفريق برشلونة، على مستقبل اللاعب فرينكي دي يونج، بعد انتشار الكثير من التكهنات حول إمكانية رحيله هذا الصيف.

وارتبط لاعب الوسط الهولندي بخطوة الرحيل عن صفوف برشلونة في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي، مع محاولات مانشستر يونايتد لضمه.

وقال كومان في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “onzemondial” الفرنسية: “كل ما أعرفه أن فرينكي دي يونج يريد البقاء في برشلونة، قال لي قبل يومين ذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كومان: برشلونة يعيش في الماضي.. ولدي شكوك كثيرة بشأن ليفاندوفسكي

وأضاف كومان في تصريحاته: “بالنسبة لي، دي يونج لاعب رائع في برشلونة”.

وتحدث كومان باقتضاب عن رحيل النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي عن برشلونة في أغسطس الماضي، حيث قال: “لقد أخذوا ميسي مني، كانت ضربة قاسية جدًا بالنسبة لي”.

Bangladesh’s selectors have named 24 probables, including six rookies, for the home series against New Zealand and the tour of South Africa in November

Cricinfo staff21-Sep-2008Bangladesh’s selectors have named 24 probables, including six rookies, for the home series against New Zealand and the tour of South Africa in November. They have also recalled Tushar Imran, Rajin Saleh, Enamul Haque jnr and Nafees Iqbal after 13 players were banned for ten years for joining the ICL.”The team is a combination of young and experienced players. And I think, under the changed circumstances, this is the best team we have,” chief selector Rafiqul Alam told AFP. “Hopefully some of them [young players] will find a place in the main squad. They are talented and have performed well against good opposition.”The players will report to the coach Jamie Siddons on Monday for a training camp at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur. Bangladesh will host New Zealand for three ODIs and two Tests in October before travelling to South Africa for three one-dayers, two Tests, and a Twenty20 international.Probables: Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah, Dolar Mahmud, Rajin Saleh, Tushar Imran, Enamul Haque jnr, Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman, Naeem Islam, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Mahbubul Alam, Saghir Hossain.

Scorecard

Surrey’s top four batsmen made it look like hard work, but their lower order came to the team’s rescue on the second day at Trent Bridge where the promised rain failed to materialise. There were two maiden fifties by promising young players in Matthew Spriegel and Chris Jordan, and, considering Nottinghamshire’s rather fragile batting so far this season, Surrey can consider themselves to have an advantage going into the third day.Surrey’s overnight pair continued to make heavy weather of it. After scarcely ten minutes, Jonathan Batty, with 21 off 88 balls, was bowled through the gate by Darren Pattinson by the ball of the day, whipping in viciously at genuine pace from outside the off-stump.Mark Ramprakash, for his part, continued to bat as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders, spending 90 minutes while adding just 11 to his overnight 19 before he showed any inclination to attack the bowling. And ten minutes later a drizzle started and lunch was taken early. He was lucky on 23, playing a bad shot that skied a ball backward of point, for the fielder running back hard to miss a very difficult chance, and it ran for four. It might have been a kindness to put him out of his misery.In contrast, Usman Afzaal looked in good form almost from his arrival at the crease on the dismissal of Batty. He played some handsome strokes of real class, and tried to dominate Pattinson, whose superb bowling was Surrey’s main threat. He didn’t altogether succeed, but at one stage hit him for two superb cover drives in an over, and then pulled Charlie Shreck twice to the boundary. He overtook Ramprakash on 30, and reached his fifty just before the early lunch, off 61 balls.Andre Adams also bowled well, troubling Ramprakash, whose painful innings finally came to an end, for 42 off 166 balls and in 218 minutes, as he got a leading edge to a ball from Pattinson and was caught by Graeme Swann, diving forward at cover. Pattinson ran through to give him a distasteful send-off, a foolhardy act as umpire Peter Willey is well known for his strong stand on such behaviour, and Pattinson will not have heard that last of that.There followed a lengthy stand of 79 between Afzaal and Spriegel, the left-handed captain of Loughborough UCCE, who played quite an impressive, if rather slow, innings. Afzaal never recovered his pre-lunch fluency, but he should have reached a century, had he not lost patience, swung across the line at Shreck and lost his off stump for 89 (128 balls, 12 fours).After tea, Spriegel reached his maiden first-class fifty off 146 balls, a patient innings with occasional impressive strokes. One run later, though, he popped a ball from Swann to short leg, making Surrey 252 for 6. But then followed the most positive and impressive partnership of the innings, as Matt Nicholson and Jordan, supposedly bowling all-rounders, played with real flair and good judgement. Jordan was particularly impressive with his clean, orthodox driving.They added 47 in entertaining fashion when Nicholson, trying to bring up the 300 with a six, holed out on the long-on boundary for 38. However, Saqlain Mushtaq proved a more than adequate partner, in an inconspicuous way until he suddenly drove Adams over long-on for six. Jordan, despite a couple of sudden rustic heaves that failed to make contact, went on to reach his maiden first-class 50 off 66 balls, with a vigorous hook to the boundary off a bouncer from Shreck; he clearly has the ability to score many more.With only seven wickets down after two days’ play, rain having ruined the first day, Surrey will have to play well – or the home team badly – to force their first victory of the season. They have their noses in front in Nottingham, and day three should reveal whether they have the attitude and determination to make a good fist of it.

Queens Park Rangers midfielder George Thomas is attracting a significant amount of interest this summer.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with West London Sport, Mark Warburton revealed that he has turned down a number of approaches for the 24-year-old in the summer transfer window, with clubs thought to have been looking to secure the services of the Wales international on a season-long loan deal.

However, the 58-year-old manager appears adamant that Thomas will not be leaving the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, suggesting that the attacking midfielder is very much part of his plans for the Rs 2020/21 Championship campaign – despite appearing to be behind both Ilias Chair and Chris Willock in the attacking midfield pecking order.

Warburton said: “He had a lot of involvement towards the end of last season and if you look at how we play, in terms of Chris and Ilias, George is right there with them – at Middlesbrough we played all three of them.

“He provides energy, quality and he’s got that lovely ability to run beyond defenders as well. I’ve had a lot of enquiries; will we let George out on loan? Absolutely not. He’s got a big role to play for us this season.”

Fans will be buzzing

While it is true that Thomas has not featured all that much since moving to west London from Leicester City last summer, having made just 18 appearances for QPR last season – only five of which came as starts – the fact that Warburton appears eager to keep the 24-year-old at the club this season should have fans buzzing.

Indeed, despite averaging just 28 minutes on the pitch in each of his 17 Championship appearances last term, the £540k-rated man nevertheless provided one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an averaging of 0.4 key passes and taking 0.6 shots per match.

Furthermore, while Chair and Willock may well be two players more likely to start in the QPR XI, with someone as talented as Thomas breathing down their necks, it will only help improve the performances of the duo, as they will be well aware that if they find themselves in a run of poor form, they will be displaced by the former Leicester man.

As such, the news that Thomas will not be leaving this club would appear to be fantastic news for all involved, as his mere presence will help raise the standards of all of QPR’s attacking midfielders this season.

It also gives the Rs fanbase something to be very excited about, as he’s very capable of doing damage from the bench, too.

In other news: Warburton drops claim on “excellent” QPR gem which will be music to the ears of fans

Manchester United have reportedly received no contact from Paris Saint-Germain over a possible move for Paul Pogba.

What’s the story?

Several outlets have linked the French giants with a move for the 28-year-old in recent days after he entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, but no formal approach has been made, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Pogba is believed to be relaxed over his future and settled in Cheshire with his family, although United players closest to the midfielder are thought to be of the opinion he should be allowed to leave as it’s in the best interests of the player and the club.

Solskjaer will be delighted

Despite the continued speculation and uncertainly regarding Pogba’s future, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will surely be delighted that no approach has been made by PSG.

The France international has established himself as a pivotal player for the 20-time English champions during his time at the club and arguably produced his best-ever form in a Red Devils shirt in the second half of last season.

After becoming United’s record signing in an £89m move from Juventus back in 2016, Pogba has scored 38 goals and provided 42 assists in 206 appearances, winning the League Cup and Europa League along the way.

However, he’s been unable to drag the club towards football’s biggest prizes, often struggling for consistency and drawing his fair share of criticism as a result.

Some of the negative narratives have been extremely harsh on the £54m-rated beast, though. United haven’t built a strong enough team to compete for the Champions League or Premier League during Pogba’s time at the club, and only now are they moving in a positive direction.

Since Solskjaer has taken charge, the Old Trafford outfit have recorded consecutive top-four finishes for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirements, reached multiple semi-finals and were beaten in the Europa League final last term.

With the imminent arrival of Jadon Sancho and the potential addition of Raphael Varane, the Norwegian tactician is close to building a team with the ability to return United to the sport’s summit.

Losing Pogba, who has been lauded as a “monster” in recent seasons, would be a devastating blow to the progress that Solsjaer has made during his two-and-a-half-year tenure, and he’ll be hoping the World Cup-winning dynamo puts pen to paper on a new deal and commits his future to United for many years to come.

And, in other news…“Matter of hours”: Fresh Man Utd transfer update is revealed that’ll have fans buzzing 

According to a report by Tuttosport, Tottenham Hotspur and Fabio Paratici are now ‘getting closer’ to signing Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, amid reports they are also closing in on Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The Lowdown: Paratici on the move…

Since the 48-year-old’s appointment as the new managing director of Tottenham, there has been no shortage of links to players currently plying their trade in Italy. Euro 2020-winning stars Manuel Locatelli, Domenico Berardi and Lorenzo Insigne are just some of the names to have been mentioned alongside Spurs this summer.

Amid these rumours, Tottenham are also ‘closing in’ on signing Serie A target Tomiyasu according to The Athletic, with the Lilywhites potentially about to seal his acquisition.

In another boost, Tuttosport has now revealed that Paratici is making strides and getting ‘closer’ to signing another Serie A target.

The Latest: Paratici ‘getting closer’ to Gollini

As per the Italian news outlet, Paratici’s and Spurs’ talks to sign Gollini are ‘confirmed’, with all parties now looking for a deal to hugely benefit everyone involved.

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Atalanta would trim their surplus of goalkeeping options while Tottenham would find a very capable deputy for Hugo Lloris, not to mention the experience that the 26-year-old himself could gain in playing for a big club in the Premier League.

The terms of a deal are potentially an ‘onerous loan’ with the obligation to buy after ‘1-2 years’, a cost which could amount to around €15m-€20m (£12.8m-£17.1m).

Despite Gollini possibly only being second choice to France international Lloris in N17, Tuttosport claimed that his arrival at the north London club is ‘getting closer’.

The Verdict: Good deal…

This may not be a marquee signing akin to other targets like Jules Kounde or Milan Skriniar, but it is a very fruitful move given Tottenham’s potential need for a goalkeeper and Lloris’ contract situation.

Gollini has been called ‘wonderful’, ‘big’, ‘imposing’ and ‘commanding’ since leaving Aston Villa for Serie A, with European football expert Carlo Garganese raving over his exploits at the Gewiss Stadium (Twitter).

His deal expires at the end of the 2021/22 season, with no sign of an extension, and snapping up Gollini on loan may allow Daniel Levy to reinforce that position while spending little to no money in the short term.

Amid Tottenham’s financial difficulties, cleverly-worked transfers like this one could be crucial to cut costs financially and invest in more premium targets for Paratici and Spurs.

In other news: Bid made – Paratici swoops with fresh offer to sign ‘absolute beast’ for Spurs, find out more here.

Lack of preparation won’t be an excuse for Northern Districts when they open their State Championship campaign against Auckland at the Harry Barker Reserve in Gisborne on November 29

Lynn McConnell13-Nov-2002Lack of preparation won’t be an excuse for Northern Districts when they open their State Championship campaign against Auckland at the Harry Barker Reserve in Gisborne on November 29.Four of the side’s front-line players, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, James Marshall and Bruce Martin, have been playing club cricket in Sydney over the last six weeks.Marshall has scored 251 runs for the Eastern Suburbs club, including a 154, to average 50.20 after five matches. Tuffey has taken 12 wickets for the Sutherland club at an average of 20.08.All four players will return to New Zealand on Sunday or Monday after completing the round of games that is underway in Sydney at the moment.Their inclusion in teams in Sydney resulted from Scott Styris going to Gordon where former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon was associated last summer.ND coach Bruce Blair said the inclusion of four players this year was a strengthening of the on-going relationship between ND and New South Wales.After he and ND operations manager Pat Malcon visited Sydney to speak with senior NSW officials, they learned there had been acceptance of the ND players being involved. The New Zealand players, all of whom were good first-class players here, with Tuffey and Styris being international players, were bolstering the Sydney competition and it had been good for club players there to mix with the New Zealanders and to see them in action.Blair was keen to see the system applied again next year because it not only gave the players cricket at a time when not a lot was happening due to climate restrictions in New Zealand, but it also helped develop the players’ life skills.”They’ve done pretty well and James Marshall has hit his straps,” Blair said. “And Daryl has been very happy with the rhythm he has got and the way he’s been feeling. Scott has been bowling on very, very true wickets to good players who look to attack.”The Australian four will not be included in the ND side to play Auckland, in Auckland, on Monday and Tuesday.That will allow the selectors to have a look at three of four players who are on the fringe of the squad.The full ND squad will then meet back in Hamilton on Wednesday for a fitness testing session and squad work.The squad for the first part of the season will then get together in Hamilton for two days of practice before bussing to Gisborne on the Wednesday afternoon.For those players back in New Zealand there have been two rounds of Hawke Cup play over the last two weekends.Blair is looking forward to getting the team back together and looking forward to further develop the skills in the side.