If Michael Neser’s exploits at Headingley invited discussion about how Australia could overlook a bowler perfectly equipped for English conditions, over in the other camp things are proceeding at a gentler pace.Nobody is about to panic over the fact that Stuart Broad and James Anderson had a wicketless day at Trent Bridge, not with a joint total of 340 Tests and 1261 Test wickets to their name, but England’s most celebrated new-ball partnership are building towards the Ashes not with spectacular exploits but with a patience borne of experience.Their season’s returns are eerily similar: Anderson has 11 wickets at 24.90; Broad has 11 at 24.54. Neser might be taking a hat-trick and replicating unplayable inswingers for Glamorgan, but Broad and Anderson’s figures are so close to identical that it feels as if it must be some sort of grand masterplan.Broad did have a minor strop on the second day at Trent Bridge, just to persuade all of us that he was feeling all right. His appeal against Josh Bohannon, on 20, when he jagged the ball through the gate indicated that Broad believed there was an inside edge where the majority saw a trouser-flick. Umpire Rob Bailey was unmoved as Broad stood motionless at the batter’s end as if he was unable to compute the decision.Anderson managed a few play-and-misses, but he was the lightest-used pace bowler, 13 overs in all, as Nottinghamshire stretched their overnight 119 for 5 into 249. Lancashire, 98 for 1 when rain and bad light closed in after tea, lead by 63.There is more cricket left in this match than many had supposed and both England bowlers will be calculating how many overs they should contribute for their own well-being. Nearly all England supporters will accept that this is a utilitarian judgment, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number is best served by Ashes success. These days, it as pleasure just to see any England player, especially a fast bowler, grace the Championship.Such deliberations appeared to be much simpler for Haseeb Hameed. He simply batted, five unobtrusive hours in all, and he was ninth out for 97 early in the afternoon. Will Williams has been the most metronomic seamer in the match and the leg before decision was a routine one, leading Hameed to fling back his head in disappointment.Disappointment that he narrowly missed what would have been a first century of the season doubtless extended to both sets of spectators – not just Notts but those following his former county – because this had been a masterclass in safety-conscious batting on a bowler’s surface. His 1235 Championship runs at 58.80 last season, the captaincy of the Lions, and further consolidation this season all indicate a game in good shape again.Hameed was 57 overnight and once again he batted with an even tempo, his defence secure, his score predominantly moving along with little dinks and steers into the off side. Anderson forced an inside edge when he swished at a wide one, and a creeper from Tom Bailey also momentarily unbalanced him but that was about it.One imagines that Hameed likes predictability, which made Broad an unsettling figure to bat alongside with lunch fast approaching. Lose a wicket then and Notts would have been nine down and Haseeb would have had to recalibrate for an extra half-hour. For Broad to take a single and give him the strike with three balls of the session remaining might normally have been an unwelcome outcome on 94, but he was probably relieved to get the chance to pay out the session quietly.As it was, Hameed was the next batter to be dismissed, leaving Broad to be last out as he succumbed to a whirligig swing and a catch at the wicket. The ball appeared to have come off his hip. No wonder he felt the umpire owed him one with the ball later. Broad, incidentally, fell without a care in the world on 249, only one run short of a batting bonus point, an insouciant dismissal which all those of us who prefer to regard bonus points as a blight on the game fully relished.Hameed had shouldered the burden with great composure after Steven Mullaney had fallen to the 18th delivery of the first session, mistiming a ball from Williams to give an easy catch to mid-on, and Brett Hutton, squared up by Bailey, had edged a catch to the keeper.Nottinghamshire, outstanding in the field on the first day, did not help their cause during Lancashire’s reply with George Balderson surviving two slip catches, to Ben Duckett and Olly Stone, to remain unbeaten on 44.That being so, Lancashire would have felt slightly happier at the close after an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 82 between Balderson and Josh Bohannon left things evenly poised. After rain-hit draws against Somerset and Essex, the least they will hope for is a fair chance to set their season running. As for Bohannon, he is currently the leading run-getter in the Championship and is putting last season’s stuttering form behind him.

RB Leipzig are monitoring Leicester City's Bilal El Khannous to replace Xavi Simons, whose future appears uncertain amid Chelsea interest.

RB Leipzig shortlist El Khannous to replace SimonsChelsea advance in talks to sign Dutch playerCrystal Palace also interested in Foxes starFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea are reportedly advancing in talks to sign Simons from Leipzig. This has prompted the Bundesliga side to scout the market for a worthy replacement for their midfield vacancy. According to , the German club have identified Leicester's El Khannous as a possible replacement for the Dutchman. However, multiple clubs are monitoring El Khannous' situation, including FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace.

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El Khannous, 21, was signed by Leicester from Belgian side Genk for €24 million (£21m/$28m) last year. The Moroccan midfielder became a regular starter at the club and scored three goals and registered six assists in 37 games. With Eberechi Eze attracting interest from Arsenal and other Premier League clubs, Palace have also shortlisted the Belgian Pro League Young Player of the Year 2024 to replace the English midfielder.

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The 2025 Club World Cup winners are closing in on Simons and have reportedly advanced on personal terms with the Dutch star, who also wishes to move to Stamford Bridge this summer and play under coach Enzo Maresca. The German club have reportedly set a price tag of €69m (£60m/$80m) to part ways with the 22-year-old.

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Leipzig are focusing on signing young talents to rebuild and strengthen their squad in key areas, aiming to improve stability, creativity, and goal-scoring for the 2025-26 season. The Bundesliga club also had a disappointing campaign last year and failed to qualify for the Champions League, prompting them to sell many of their key talents. Benjamin Sesko is another player Leipzig can lose out on, should a good proposal come their way.

KKR have brought in 16-year old Afghanistan offspinner Allah Ghazanfar

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Mar-2024Afghanistan mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been ruled out of Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 campaign due to injury and will be replaced in the squad by his countryman, the 16-year-old Allah Ghazanfar.Rajasthan Royals signed South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who is currently recovering from surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon.Ghazanfar, also a mystery spinner, made his international debut earlier this month during the ODI series against Ireland, though he went wicketless in the two matches he played. He was Afghanistan’s second highest wicket-taker at the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup, taking eight wickets at an average of 16.75. Ghazanfar has played six List A matches and three T20s. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 lakhs.Maharaj, a South Africa veteran, has played 50 Tests, 44 ODIs and 27 T20Is, with a total of 237 wickets in international cricket. Additionally, he has played in T20 leagues around the world, including for Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20, and Fortune Barishal in the BPL. Maharaj, who took 15 wickets from 13 matches in this year’s SA20, had arrived in India earlier this month, training with the Lucknow Super Giants squad.KKR, who opened their campaign with a four-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, face Royal Challengers Bengaluru next on Friday. Royals also began their season on a victorious note against Super Giants.

Newcastle are out of the running to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, leaving Manchester United and Liverpool fighting for his signature.

• Magpies not willing to raise bid for striker
• Liverpool testing Newcastle resolve with Isak offer
• Red Devils will rival champions for Frankfurt hitman

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Eddie Howe's side were keen on adding the French striker to their attack after signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55m ($73m) earlier this month. But the Magpies have pulled out of the race to sign the 23-year-old.

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  The Magpies have been monitoring Ekitike for some time and had a €75m (£64m/$86m) bid for him rejected. It led to Liverpool upping their interest in the striker, who scored 22 goals for Eintracht last season. But Newcastle have now deemed Ekitike to be too expensive and are no longer interest in signing him, according to French journalist Julien Laurens.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Frankfurt are holding out for more than €80m for Ekitike and Man United are reported to be the only club ready to rival Liverpool for his signature. The Athletic reports that the Reds are not expecting personal terms to be an issue, with Fabrice Hawkins claiming that the striker has already agreed a six-year contract. While Liverpool advance in their pursuit, United have not yet made a formal offer.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  An agreement for Ekitike is reported to be 'close. Meanwhile, Newcastle are now turning their attention to signing Yoane Wissa from Brentford, according to .

Bangladesh have shown glimpses of improved lower-order batting in the past week against Sri Lanka. First, it was big-hitting from Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed in the third T20I in Sylhet on March 9. Then Taskin repeated his batting contribution in the second ODI in Chattogram on Friday, helping Towhid Hridoy to get to a career-best unbeaten 96 to help Bangladesh past a middle-order slowdown.Hridoy added 50 runs in the last 3.5 overs with Taskin, who struck two fours and a six in his unbeaten 10-ball 18. Taskin had also struck three fours and two sixes in the T20I on March 9, while Rishad blasted a record seven sixes.On Friday, newcomer Tanzim Hasan Sakib also supported Hridoy, for the seventh wicket. They added 47 through sensible strike rotation. Tanzim made 18 off 33 balls, at a time when Bangladesh had just lost Mehidy Hasan Miraz, their last recognised batter.Related

• Bangladesh drop Litton from squad for third Sri Lanka ODI

• The up-and-down fortunes of Litton and Soumya

• Tanzim seizes spotlight as latest star of Bangladesh's pace revolution

Hridoy said that he finds the Bangladesh lower-order to be capable of handling both types of batting. He is confident enough in them to give them back the strike, he said. “I don’t consider them as tail-enders. I see them as batters. They are proving their capabilities. I have belief in them.”They batted well. I told them that keep a positive intent. Hit whenever you see fit. Taskin asked me if he should give me the strike. I told him that he should go for his shots too.”Runs in the death overs often have big impact. Team gets a lot of confidence when they bat well. I had good partnerships with both Sakib and Taskin . It is always good for the team.”Tanzim said that he regrets getting out – a flay that only reached mid-off in the 47th over – as he wanted to hang around with Hridoy till the last over. “I tried to support Hridoy with the bat. My plan was to charge towards the end of the innings. I wasn’t satisfied with the way I got out. I should played that type of shot two overs later. It could have given us more runs.”Hridoy just told me to play sensibly. He said not to worry about dot balls, he can cover it in the end. I was picking the singles. We have a great bond. We know each other very well. It always helps in the field.”Bangladesh have struggled with a long tail ever since they decided to play with six specialist batters and Mehidy at No. 7. He had long batted at No. 8 in all formats to prolong the batting order but because of his batting improvements, the Bangladesh team management decided to risk playing five full bowlers. Even in the absence of allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, they have gone with five specialist bowlers. And now their trust in the tail doing their bit with the bat when needed finally seems to be paying off.

Sam Curran stood in as Punjab Kings captain in Dhawan’s absence against Rajasthan Royals

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2024

Shikhar Dhawan has a shoulder injury, Punjab Kings coach Sanjay Bangar has confirmed, and could be out of action for a week, possibly, or even more. If it’s a week, Dhawan, the designated captain of the team, could miss two IPL 2024 matches, against Mumbai Indians (April 18) and against Gujarat Titans (April 21), both at home in Mullanpur.Speaking a press conference after Kings’ last-over defeat in a low-scoring game against Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur, Bangar first said Dhawan could be out for “at least a couple of days”, and that it could be “at least seven-ten days”.”He’s having a shoulder injury, so he is likely to be out for at least a couple of days, I would say,” Bangar said. “Having an experienced opener, somebody like Shikhar, who has experience of playing on such wickets, becomes extremely crucial [for the team].”We have to wait and see how he responds to the treatment. At the moment, it seems that he could be out of action for at least seven-ten days.”In Dhawan’s absence, Sam Curran walked out for the toss for Kings, which led to some amount of confusion, since Jitesh Sharma had attended the captains’ conference in Chennai prior to the start of the season.”No, no, he [Jitesh] wasn’t the designated vice-captain,” Bangar clarified when asked the question. “The impression could have been because he attended the captains’ seminar, or meeting, at the start of the IPL. But the thought was always that… because Sam has led the team in the previous year as well; he was late to arrive from UK and he wanted to have a few [training] sessions, that’s the reason we couldn’t send him to Chennai. Hence Jitesh was sent, because the directive was that a player has to attend.”It wasn’t the case that Jitesh was the stand-in captain. We were very clear in our mind that if at all there had to be an opening, Sam Curran will be taking over and do the job as the captain.”Dhawan hasn’t had a spectacular time of it with the bat in IPL 2024, but is Kings’ highest run-getter at this stage with 152 runs from five innings, scoring at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 125.61. In fact, Kings’ struggles with the bat at the top of the innings have contributed in a major way to their lack of wins – they have four losses from six games so far and are down at eighth place on the table.Jonny Bairstow, Dhawan’s opening partner, has had a rough time too, scoring just 96 runs in six innings, while Prabhsimran Singh (119 runs in six innings) and Jitesh (106 runs in six innings) have struggled for consistency and impact also.On Saturday, with Dhawan out, Kings tried Atharva Taide at the top. He scored 15 runs in 12 balls as Kings put up 38 for 1 in the powerplay on their way to a total of 147 for 8.”Certainly is a cause for concern that the top order is not making enough runs for us,” Bangar said. “They are trying hard – I am not saying that they are not applying themselves – but it’s just not coming. Low-scoring games, especially at Mullanpur, the way the wicket is… that also has a factor. Because if you see, some of the scores have been pretty low.”All the three games that we have played here, in the first six overs, with the new ball, the wicket tends to just jag a little bit, and uneven bounce as well. So maybe that is also a contributing factor because, not only us, the visiting teams and their top order are facing issues.”

Sarfaraz’s 66-ball innings lit up the afternoon but ended in heartbreak after he was run-out with Jadeja seeking a 100th run

Sidharth Monga15-Feb-20242:41

Manjrekar: Rohit’s mental toughness was admirable

On the first day of the third Test, India’s batting finally came together but not without an early alarm. Down at 33 for 3 on a pitch that was full of runs and with two debutants to follow, India were looking at possible trouble. But a 204-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja for the fourth wicket – India’s first century stand of the series – took them to 326 for 5 at stumps. Rohit and Jadeja got centuries while Sarfaraz Khan made a sparkling debut, hitting 62 off 66, before being run-out.This was the first time since 1999 that India had three players in the top seven who had played fewer than two Tests. That in mind, Mark Wood gave England a leg-up when he got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill – India’s only centurions this series before Thursday- with the new ball. Gill, in particular, got a ball that swung in and then nipped away, that took the outside edge. These two scalps doubled Wood’s tally of wickets in the first six overs of a Test innings.The early-morning moisture that had assisted Wood possibly helped Tom Hartley grip one in his ninth over, which took the front edge from Rajat Patidar. A day before the Test, Jadeja had said England were not a difficult side to beat. The team management asked him to go out and demonstrate it from No. 5 in the ninth over, the second-earliest he has walked in to bat in a Test innings, and the earliest in the first innings.Related

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A promotion to Jadeja made double sense: protect the debutant Sarfaraz and also introduce a left-hand batter. Coming back from possibly the first time he has missed a Test with a hamstring injury, and having to deal with a family dispute gone public, Jadeja would have been excused for having a lot on his mind when he joined Rohit, but he batted with the most unencumbered mind: just purely reacting to the next ball in an old-school fashion.Rohit, who had got off to a smashing start, had to do unconventional things at the start of the partnership. Wood tried to bounce him with a fine leg, a deep backward square leg and a deep forward square leg. For once, looking at the score and the situation, he decided not to hook and had to wear one in his helmet grille. He charged at James Anderson to cut down the movement, on one occasion chipping one just out of mid-on’s reach. With Hartley, he flicked in the air and against the turn. The first attempt brought four, the second an edge to slip, which Joe Root dropped.Mark Wood was the pick of the England bowlers on the opening day•BCCI

Rohit will argue this was just the luck he needed after the lack of it in the first two Tests. By then, the early movement had begun to die down. Just after that miscued chip off Anderson, Rohit went back to punch him through extra cover for four, an emphatic sign that he was in.Jadeja never looked less than in. The two took India to lunch without further bother. Just after lunch, Rohit became the 14th man in this series to hit a six. The added responsibility of being the leader of an inexperienced line-up had messed with his approach a little, but now though, we were seeing the usual Rohit. There were timely lofts, some paddle sweeps, and a lot of back-foot runs. His second six took him past MS Dhoni’s 78, with Virender Sehwag as the only Indian ahead of him.Once there was spin from both ends, Jadeja began to catch up too, hitting a six in the final over of the middle session, the first wicketless session of the series. Immediately after tea, Rohit brought up his 11th hundred with two easy couples off two short balls from Rehan Ahmed. For a long time, the team management would have hoped for the batters to not take risks and just benefit from the inevitable loose balls the inexperienced spin attack was bound to dish up. A little like how Rohit brought up his hundred.It was happening now with ease, especially for Jadeja. England had to go back to Wood’s pace. A top edge from Jadeja cleared long leg, who was 20 yards in off the fence. Rohit was getting freebies from Rehan. Fifty runs came in 11 overs after tea without having to break a sweat. Then Rohit pulled one off Wood that was probably not short enough to pull. It skidded on, got big on him, and was caught at midwicket.Sarfaraz Khan picked the lengths early against spin•AFP/Getty Images

Out came Sarfaraz with whispers already around his game against quick short-pitched bowling. That Wood began with a deep fine third, two men deep on the hook, a short leg and a catching forward square leg suggested it was not a mere whisper. Around the wicket he went and looked to bounce Sarfaraz. He ducked the first three nonchalantly. Towards the end of his spell, Wood insisted on one more over. Sarfaraz ducked again before bunting the surprise yorker down the ground.With pace out of the way, Sarfaraz displayed remarkable skill against spin, helped no doubt by Ben Stokes’ attacking fields. A series of one-twos followed: a loft over the infield followed by going deep into the crease to take a single off the seemingly inevitable shorter delivery. The feet moved perfectly according to the trajectory of the ball, the sweep was out early, and the lofts down the ground were executed perfectly. Before one realised, Sarfaraz had a fifty off 48, the joint second-quickest for an India debutant.Another byplay had begun to develop. Jadeja had got stuck in the 80s and 90s. In the time that Sarfaraz scored 50, Jadeja had got only 12. He had three hundreds, but four dismissals between 80 and 99. He almost became passive. Had Hartley reviewed his lbw shout against Jadeja, he would have got him out lbw pad-first on 93.Finally, on 99, Jadeja called Sarfaraz through for an impossible single and unsuccessfully sent him back. Looking at India still leaving the door ajar, Rohit threw his cap in disgust in the dressing room. Jadeja got to the hundred next ball, but the celebrations were subdued since Sarfaraz was gone just one delivery before. Jadeja knew there was more work to do on day two, walking back unbeaten on 110 with Kuldeep Yadav by his side.

Following his stunning IPL century, Marcus Stoinis says he still wants to play for Australia despite not being contracted for 2024-25

Alex Malcolm24-Apr-2024Marcus Stoinis has no qualms about missing out on a Cricket Australia contract for 2024-25 but is still keen to continue playing for Australia beyond the T20 World Cup after making a stunning statement century for Lucknow Super Giants in a victory over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL on Tuesday.Stoinis has not spoken since missing out on a CA contract for the 2024-25 but there is some nuance to the decision. He is still contracted with CA until June 30 as CA’s contracts run across the financial year. Barring injury, he was locked into Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup even prior to his record innings at Chepauk on Tuesday. He has been a bedrock at No.5 in Australia’s T20I side as part of a settled middle-order alongside Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Matthew Wade.Following his century at Chepauk, Stoinis was asked in the post-match presentation whether he had a point to prove but he was pragmatic about the situation.Related

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“I’ve got a great relationship with the [Australia] coach [Andrew McDonald],” Stoinis said. “Me not getting a contract, I knew that a while ago. I think it is great to give younger kids a crack and let them take my spot. I’m absolutely fine with that on the contract list. But on the playing front, obviously want to make sure that I’m there and that’s also why it’s so lucky for us and for me particularly to have this competition [the IPL], that’s why I love it so much.”Stoinis, 34, has been consistent in his statements about his contract situation and his desire to still play international cricket beyond the T20 World Cup. He said back in January he understood why he had been left out of Australia’s ODI squad to face West Indies. He has been in constant communication with McDonald and Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey about what his playing future will look like with Australia post the T20 World Cup as they build towards the 2025 Champions Trophy, the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup.Australia’s next limited-overs assignment after the T20 World Cup is in September in England, which includes five ODIs and three T20Is. They only have one other T20I series in the 2024-25 contract period, against Pakistan at home in November. They also have three ODIs against Pakistan in November, which is their last ODI series before the Champions Trophy.Stoinis has opted not to seek a state contract with Western Australia although he has not shut the door completely on playing domestic cricket in the future. However, his availability and opportunity will be dictated by his freelance schedule and WA’s desire for continuity within their program. Stoinis was one of four WA players who opted to go freelance instead of taking a state deal but Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff and AJ Tye are still set to be part of the WA program while Stoinis is unlikely to be. Stoinis has a strong relationship with WA’s state coach Adam Voges, who is with Stoinis at Lucknow as a coaching consultant, and further conversations will be held later in the year.

Mas defended Messi and Jordi Alba's ASG absences, claimed MLS's suspension rule is outdated and detrimental to the league

• Messi, Alba suspended by MLS for skipping ASG
• Miami owner Mas says Messi "extremely upset" over matter
• Hopes suspension won't impact contract talks

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Calling MLS rules for sanctioning players who skip its All-Star game "draconian," Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas on Friday said that Lionel Messi was "extremely upset' by the league's decision to suspend him and teammate Jordi Alba for their absences at Wednesday's midsummer event in Austin, Texas.

  Major League Soccer confirmed on Friday that both Messi and Alba have been suspended one match each for skipping the event, and neither will be available when Inter Miami host FC Cincinnati Saturday night. Per league policy, "any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match."

  Mas claimed it was the club's decision to let both Messi and Alba skip the ASG, keeping their long-term health and fitness in mind amid a congested schedule, and that the players' were upset by the league's actions.

  “Obviously it was not a positive reaction,” Mas said of the players' response to the sanctions. “They want to compete. They want to play games. That’s what they’re here for: to play and win. They understand the magnitude of tomorrow’s night’s game. So the reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision. Who don’t understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension. The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it.”

  Mas said he was "hopeful" the discipline doesn't impact ongoing contract negotiations with Messi, who's current deal expires at the end of 2025.

  “He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected,” Mas said of Messi. “I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long-term. Will it have an impact initially, in the players’ perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely no doubt.”

  MLS commissioner Don Garber praised Messi's overall contributions, but said the league had to follow its policies.

  “The most important thing is I know Leo Messi loves this league, and MLS is an entirely different league because of the years he’s been here helping to show the world what MLS is and what it’s capable of being,” Garber told the Athletic. “Nobody has done more for Major League Soccer than Lionel Messi. Not just what he’s done off the field, but what he’s done on the field. Every game is a must-see match. I fully understand and respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami.

  "His decision is not one that I really can argue with whatsoever and I understand it. But unfortunately we have a longstanding policy relating to player participation in the All-Star Game and we had to enforce that policy. It was a very, very difficult decision, but one I hope both [Messi] and everyone else can understand and respect. He has shown up for his club, for his teammates, for our league time and time again and I respect his decision.”

  Garber added that MLS plans to re-evaluate the policy.

  “We are going to take a very hard look at the rule moving forward," he said. "It is important to all of our players and all of our fans that we have a policy that reflects and involves the realities of our league and its players going forward. I am committed to working with all of our players and to start working with Leo Messi to adapt this rule so it makes sense going forward.”

  Mas took exception to the All-Star Game participation requirements.

  “I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian," Mas said. "I believe it’s a bad rule, but it’s a rule nonetheless. And it’s a bad rule because I think it puts the players in an untenable position to have to choose between participating in an All-Star festivity, which is an exhibition match, or choosing a regular-season game that I think matters. And I admire both Lionel and Jordi for always thinking of club first.”

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  Mas said the league should have taken into consideration the congestion in Miami's schedule in making its ruling.

  “During the course of this year, we have to date played, already, 33 games,” he said. “I consider each and every game that Inter Miami plays an All-Star Game for obvious reasons. And I wanted today to express our full support, both to Lionel and to Jordi, as a decision for them to sit this week was a decision made by the club. And I think that that’s an important point.

  "They were coming off a run of nine games in 35 days. Hard games. The last two games previous to this Wednesday were games on the road on Wednesday at Cincinnati, on Saturday in New York. We’re facing a game tomorrow, and we’re facing a course of 10 games over the next 34 days."

  Mas added that the club and both players discussed traveling to Austin, but ultimately decided against it for "obvious reasons, because it would take away from their preparation."

  He admitted that "the communication on all ends probably wasn’t handled ideally" but added that “it was all a very short time frame.”

  Mas added he believes the current rule not only hurts the players, but the fans, the league and their media partner in Apple.

  “I allude to what the commissioner said in his statement, that the rule needs to be looked at,” Mas said. “I expressed our disagreement with the decision that the league made, and I had conversations with the commissioner this morning and through late last night. But notwithstanding that the decision is what it is and stands with MLS. But I want to assure everyone that you know, Lionel and Jordi have acted in a way commensurate with what the club would want.”

  He said he hopes that the league finds a way to make the All-Star Game a spectacle, without "forcing" players to choose between fitness and health for regular-season matches or attending the ASG itself.

  “I understand schedule congestion, but we have to find a way where the All-Star Game gives players some time before and/or after,” Mas said. “There are, I believe, six games this evening in Major League Soccer. That is less than 48 hours since playing in an All-Star game. That’s untenable and not right and not fair to the players and the clubs that sent players to the All-Star Game.

  "So the ideal situation would be that, either before or after the All-Star Game, as Javier Mascherano said this morning, the players have some days off so that they can enjoy their time at an All-Star Game. Because ultimately, it’s an exhibition, but it should be something enjoyable among players in Major League Soccer.”

• WHAT MAS SAID

  Mas also backed Messi, saying the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to elevate MLS on a global platform.

  “There’s no doubt that there’s a before and after Lionel Messi in this league,” Mas said. “Lionel Messi, he is different. He has completely changed the economics of this league, for every single club, every team, every sponsor, the league, media, etc. He’s important. But at the end of the day, Lionel Messi wants to play in competitive matches. … corporate sponsors are already taking advantage of Lionel Messi’s presence in the league, because they are league sponsors. So it’s a question of, how do you make the MLS All-Star Game an event that does not kill the management load on their physical ability to perform. You can still have players attend, and it’s a scheduling issue with that."

  Mas stressed that Messi's presence has a halo effect for the league, across a number of metrics.

  “Lionel Messi has created, for the first time in the league history, $10 million gates where he goes," he said. "Clubs change stadiums so Lionel Messi can perform and play, and Inter Miami can play. And that’s an amazing asset and an amazing thing for the league. I’m just hopeful that in the future we can manage the All-Star Game scheduling with the obvious benefits that Lionel has brought to our league.”

  Mas also noted that the South Beach club plans to make multiple additions this transfer window, and that they are looking to "take advantage" of the window to "strengthen our roster."

  The club has been heavily linked with a move for Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul, and the Atletico Madrid midfielder is reportedly close to finalizing a contract with the South Beach club.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Inter Miami takes on FC Cincinnati Saturday night. FCC currently sits atop the Supporters' Shield Standings and the top of the Eastern Conference. Last week they defeated Miami 3-0 at home.

How Pakistan wrested the initiative in the final session

On the ball with S Rajesh and Arun Gopalakrishnan21-Jan-2006Going into the tea break, Pakistan’s total read 248 for 4. They had the runs on the board, but India had four top-order wickets, and on a flat pitch that was a pretty good effort. Then, in the final session, Pakistan snatched away whatever hope India had of ending the day on a high, thanks to a blistering attack by Shahid Afridi, primarily, and Inzamam-ul-Haq.The two put on 163 in a mere 32 overs, of which 131 came off 26 in the last session: Afridi contributed 66 from 61, while Inzamam’s share was 62 from 98. Rahul Dravid’s one hope was the second new ball, but the hope soon turned into a nightmare, as Afridi unleashed an assault of frightening proportions. Unbeaten on 43 off 60 when it was taken, Afridi smashed 42 from his 24 opportunities with the new cherry to end on 85 from 84. The table below shows how he fared against each Indian bowler: Zaheer Khan was easily the best of the lot, while Irfan Pathan suffered the Afridi treatment, just as Harbhajan Singh had in the Lahore Test.

Irfan Pathan 6 20 20.00 RP Singh 11 17 9.27 Anil Kumble 28 31 6.64 Harbhajan Singh 12 6 3.00 Zaheer Khan 27 11 2.44 Total 84 85 6.07The most listless bowler on view was easily Pathan. Not only did he vanish for an astonishing 70 from 11 overs, he was utterly pedestrian, never even remotely threatening to take a wicket. Only 9% of the deliveries he bowled induced a false stroke from the batsmen, while for Zaheer it was 13%, and 15% for RP Singh.