أوضح وليد صلاح الدين، لاعب النادي الأهلي السابق، رأيه تجاه المدرب الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو، حال استمرار سوء الأداء للفريق خلال الفترة القادمة.
وكان الأهلي ظهر بأداء باهت خلال مباراته الأولي في بطولة الدوري المصري للموسم الحالي، أمام مودرن سبورت، وتعادل بنتيجة 2-2.
وقال وليد صلاح الدين خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت 2” لبرنامج “هاتريك”: “الظروف هي من تحكم الأهلي، لن ينتظر لنهاية الموسم لكي يقيم خوسيه ريبيرو”.
طالع | “القرار في يد الأهلي”.. محمد الشناوي يوضح موقفه من الرحيل وحقيقة مفاوضات الزمالك وبيراميدز
وأضاف: “الأهلي لن ينتظر في حالة تراجع النتائج ممكن في شهر يناير المقبل أو بعد 10 مباريات، إذا حدث اخفاق شديد في النتائج فالأحمر لن ينتظر”.
وتابع: “ريبيرو ظروفه مختلفة عن كولر، معه فريق مختلف حتى لو حقق انتصارات بدون أداء فتوجد علامة أستفهام واضحة”.
وبشأن تأثير غياب وسام أبو علي وإمام عاشور، أوضح لاعب الأهلي السابق: “الفريق يضم الكثير من العناصر السوبر ستار ولا يجب أن ننظر إلى أي لاعب غائب، لو الفريق سيقف على إمام عاشور ستكون مشكلة ومن حقه أن يطلب المقابل المادي الذي يختاره”.
وواصل: “يوجد محمد علي بن رمضان ومروان عطية وأليود ديانج، من الطبيعي أنك تفوز بأي 11 لاعبا”.
da poker： O Vasco anunciou a retomada de patrocínio com a Brahma. A parceria, que começou em 2010, prevê uma série de ações para os torcedores. Uma delas envolve o aplicativo de bebidas, Zé Delivery. O CEO Luiz Mello celebrou o novo contrato.
+ Confira as movimentações do Vasco no Mercado da Bola
– O Vasco está feliz em renovar essa parceria com a Brahma. A Brahma era uma parceira antiga do Vasco e depois de muitas conversas entendemos a importância de um para o outro e que deveríamos caminhar juntos. Quanto mais parceiros importantes vierem ser acoplados ao Vasco, maior vai ser nossa marca e mais pessoas conseguiremos atender.
RelacionadasVascoVasco ganha forma com contratações, mas elenco ainda não está fechadoVasco12/01/2023VascoLesionado, reforço do Vasco pode perder amistosos nos Estados UnidosVasco11/01/2023VascoBarbeiro ‘fura’ o Vasco e divulga foto de Orellano com uniformeVasco11/01/2023
da fazobetai： A parceria é oficializada seis meses depois do Vasco anunciar que o contrato de patrocínio com a Brahma não seria renovado. No comunicado da época, o clube informou que a decisão foi da empresa.
“O Vasco da Gama vem a público agradecer à Ambev pela parceria que chega ao seu final. Por decisão da empresa, o contrato com o clube não será renovado. O Vasco agradece pela longa e frutífera união e deseja sucesso à Ambev em seus novos projetos.”
O gerente de marketing regional da Ambev, Gustavo Monteiro, explicou os motivos que fizeram a empresa retomar o patrocínio com o Vasco.
– A Brahma sempre investiu nas paixões que unem os brasileiros, como é o caso do futebol. Nossa parceria com o Vasco vem de longa data e agora iniciamos um novo ciclo. Temos certeza que nesse ano, junto com os vascaínos, continuaremos a escrever uma história de sucesso.
Allrounder Bas de Leede says the team has set themselves a high target at their first ODI World Cup since 2011
Shashank Kishore05-Oct-20232:33
Bas de Leede: ‘Us being here is massive for the sport back home’
Netherlands allrounder Bas de Leede is clear about his team’s targets at the World Cup.For starters, they aren’t thinking of themselves as Associates. They want to play as equals with the big boys. For de Leede, there’s no bigger motivation than that.”We want to make the semi-finals,” he announced ahead of their first game against Pakistan in Hyderabad. It may seem a fanciful dream to many, considering Netherlands haven’t played an ODI since the World Cup Qualifiers in June.They arrived in India late September for two warm-up games against Karnataka, and the nature of pitches proved a challenge. In the first game, they slumped to 3 for 8, before making 114 in pursuit of 266. In the second, they made 295 and lost by one wicket.Netherlands had both their World Cup warm-ups against Australia and India washed out; and Mitchell Starc blew away their top order in the little play that was possible. It was a reminder of what they can expect when they face Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.Related
Can Netherlands bring high-flying New Zealand back down to earth?
Live Report – Netherlands vs Pakistan, World Cup 2023
Men in orange: how Netherlands grew a big-team mentality
Father and son at World Cups: the different journeys of Tim and Bas de Leede
Pakistan brace for Netherlands challenge amid form, injury and off-field concerns
Several first-choice players had missed Netherlands’ glorious run at the World Cup Qualifiers to honour their English county contracts. De Leede was among those who made it to Zimbabwe thanks to Durham making letting him go play.”We obviously don’t get to play together as a team very often because guys are spread out,” he said. “But I think the learnings we can take from Karnataka was, first of all, it was nice to play together as a team and try and adapt to Indian conditions.”Obviously, it’s one thing training in Indian conditions, but then another thing going out and playing and seeing what it’s like in a game. Then you know lack of game time. It was a shame that the warm-up games got rained off. But I think in the nets, we try and replicate game scenarios and try and be as competitive as we can when bowling to each other, when facing each other.”Does the prospect of playing Full Member teams seem intimidating? Not quite. De Leede spoke of how Netherlands ran Pakistan close over three ODIs in Rotterdam last August.In the first match of that series, Netherlands nearly chased down Pakistan’s 314 but fell 16 short. In the third ODI, having restricted Pakistan to 206, they were 108 for 3 before collapsing to lose by nine runs.Bas de Leede played an important role in Netherlands qualifying for the World Cup•Albert Perez/ICC/Getty Images
“I think the experience of the whole Super League, having played against bigger nations, was fantastic for us,” de Leede said. “And obviously, Pakistan, having played them last year in Rotterdam in three ODIs, it’ll be nice to sort of be familiar with the team and the players and stuff, having played them before.”I think that will help us a little bit. But obviously, you know, they’ve evolved. They’ve gotten better. They’ve got different skills now as well, even with Shaheen [Afridi] coming back, who didn’t play that series.”Twice during the press conference, de Leede was asked to be “realistic” in terms of setting expectations.”We want to make the semi-finals,” he said both times. “If we want to get there, we’ve got to win four or five games. So, we’d have to take down one of the big teams. But that’s (semi-finals) our main target. And if we get there, we play our best cricket. Amazing. But if we play our best cricket and we don’t get there, I reckon we can still be proud of ourselves.”How will they approach their quest to make the final four? Play with a nothing-to-lose approach or set high goals and try to get there?”I think probably a mixture of both,” he said. “I don’t think any of the teams have got anything to lose. They’ve got something to gain, which is winning the World Cup. I think for us, obviously it’s special being back for the first time since 2011, but we’ve set our goal high which is making the semi-final. I don’t think if we don’t make it, we’re a failure or anything like that.”I think if we don’t make it, but we have played our best cricket, we can still be proud of ourselves. But by setting the goal to make the semi-final, I think we can probably do more than what people expect from us.”
da betobet： Liverpool are set to continue their pursuit of the Premier League title when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
da dobrowin： The Reds will be expected to pick up all three points at home against relegation-threatened Wolves, who could fall into the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere this weekend.
Will England get a 5th Champions League place? UEFA's rules explained
Plenty of clubs could be eyeing 5th place if the Premier League earns an extra CL slot.
1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 10, 2025 Liverpool vs Wolves team news
Liverpool'sJoeGomezwalks off the pitch after sustaining an injury
Liverpool
Having a fully fit squad to choose from can be a major advantage in a title race, and Arne Slot is blessed to have almost all of his players available for selection, although there could be some absentees.
Defender Joe Gomez is set to miss out due to a hamstring issue, having been substituted after just 11 minutes at Plymouth and missing the draw at Everton, whereas Curtis Jones received a red card after the full-time whistle and Cody Gakpo is a fresh doubt.
Wolves
Vitor Pereira has a few injury concerns to deal with, although the only key first-team players out are strikers Jorgen Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-Chan. Both forwards missing will leave Pereira a little light on options in attack.
Where to watch Liverpool vs Wolves on TV
Liverpool v Leicester City -Anfield
In the United Kingdom, viewers will be able to tune in on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and NOW TV, with kick-off at 2pm (GMT).
Viewers in the USA can watch on USA Network.
Liverpool vs Wolves referee & VAR
The referee for the clash at Anfield is Simon Hooper, who will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long. Sam Barrott is the fourth official after officiating Leicester vs Arsenal, whereas John Brooks and Adam Nunn are on VAR and assistant VAR duty respectively.
As can be seen, Hooper is yet to give the Reds a penalty in the 12 games he’s been in the middle.
Simon Hooper record
Liverpool
Wolves
Games
12
27
Record
7W, 3D, 2L
11W, 4D, 12L
Cards received
17 Yellow, 2 Red
37 Yellow, 1 Red
Cards to opponents
26 Yellow, 1 Red
55 Yellow, 3 Red
Penalties for/against
0/1
2/2
Liverpool vs Wolves form Liverpool
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Mohamed Salah
The Reds suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup at the weekend, however, they fielded a weakened starting XI, and remain in good form in the Premier League.
Slot’s side are seven points clear at the summit of the Premier League table following a 2-2 draw against Everton on Wednesday night, placing them in a very strong position to secure a 20th English title.
Liverpool’s last five results (all competitions)
Date
Opponent
Competition
Result
Wed 12th Feb
Everton
Premier League
D 2-2
Sun 9th Feb
Plymouth
FA Cup
L 1-0
Thu 6th Feb
Tottenham (h)
EFL Cup
W 4-0
Sat 1st Feb
Bournemouth (a)
Premier League
W 0-2
Wed 29th Jan
PSV (a)
Champions League
L 3-2
Wolves
WolverhamptonWanderers' Matheus Cunha,WolverhamptonWanderers' Pablo Sarabia andWolverhamptonWanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri
Wolves find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, having picked up just 19 points in 24 Premier League games, but they have had some tricky fixtures since the turn of the year, succumbing to defeats against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
The Old Gold’s form has started to pick up in recent weeks, however, moving out of the bottom three with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa in their last Premier League outing, before winning by the same scoreline at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.
Wolves’ last five results (all competitions)
Date
Opponent
Competition
Result
Sun 9th Feb
Blackburn (a)
FA Cup
W 0-2
Sat 1st Feb
Aston Villa (h)
Premier League
W 2-0
Sat 25th Jan
Arsenal (h)
Premier League
L 0-1
Mon 20th Jan
Chelsea (a)
Premier League
L 3-1
Wed 15th Jan
Newcastle (a)
Premier League
L 3-0
Liverpool vs Wolves head-to-head
WolverhamptonWanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri celebrates scoring their first goal
As you’d expect, Liverpool have a strong record against Wolves, winning the majority of the historical matches between the two sides, including 15 of the last 16 in the Premier League.
Slot’s side prevailed 2-1 at Molineux earlier this season, with Mohamed Salah providing the winner from the spot just after the hour mark, and they will be expected to pick up all three points again this Sunday if they are to go on and win the title.
Liverpool v Wolves head-to-head (all competitions)
da bet vitoria： O Palmeiras segue sem contratar jogadores neste mercado de transferências, mas o principal temor da torcida neste momento é a possibilidade de perder Abel Ferreira para a Seleção Brasileira. No entanto, de acordo com a presidente Leila Pereira, a CBF ainda não procurou o clube para manifestar o interesse no treinador e no que depender dela, ele fica no Verdão por mais tempo.
> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui
Em entrevista concedida para o GE, a mandatária palmeirense falou das especulações sobre o futuro do técnico, que tem sido colocado como um dos favoritos a comandar a Seleção Brasileira. Acontece que ainda não houve uma procura da Confederação Brasileira de Futebol junto ao Alviverde. Leila acredita que se houver o interesse, isso será comunicado a ela com antecedência.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasOPINIÃO: Endrick se torna o maior embaixador da base do Palmeiras no mundoPalmeiras15/12/2022PalmeirasO que o Palmeiras vai fazer com o dinheiro da venda de Endrick?Palmeiras15/12/2022PalmeirasWeverton comemora cinco anos desde seu anúncio como jogador do PalmeirasPalmeiras15/12/2022
da betcris： -Em nenhum momento a CBF nos procurou e teve uma conversa a esse respeito… Nunca houve uma conversa com a presidente do Palmeiras. O presidente Ednaldo (Rodrigues, da CBF) é uma pessoa muito séria e sabe que o profissional tem contrato com o Palmeiras. Não tenho dúvida de que quando houver, ou se houver alguma proposta, ele vai me procurar. E aí vamos conversar o que é melhor para o Palmeiras, para o técnico, para a CBF… – declarou a presidente antes de completar:
-Não penso e não perco noites de sono. O Abel está muito feliz no Palmeiras, nós estamos muito felizes com o Abel. Nós proporcionamos ao Abel toda estrutura que ele precisa para fazer esse trabalho brilhante. Meu desejo é que ele permaneça por muito tempo.
Abel Ferreira tem contrato com o Palmeiras até o fim de 2024, quando termina o mandato de Leila Pereira. Esse “muito tempo” ao qual ela se refere, é o período de mais três anos, que coincidiria com mais um mandato no comando do clube. Segundo a dirigente, o português já dirige uma seleção.
-Me perguntaram se o Abel fosse convidado e eu falei que é uma honra, como é, para qualquer técnico ser escolhido para representar uma seleção, seja qual seleção for. É reconhecimento do trabalho. Mas eu prossegui que é um desejo da presidente que o Abel fique conosco por muito tempo – disse Leila antes de acrescentar:
– Eu sou presidente do Palmeiras até 2024. Se o associado continuar acreditando no meu trabalho, gostaria de ser reeleita para mais um mandato. Eu gostaria que o Abel ficasse até o último dia que eu ficar no Palmeiras e é por isso que eu vou lutar. Eu quero que ele fique, ele já treina uma seleção.
>Endrick confirmado no Real Madrid: lembre todos os brasileiros que já defenderam o clube
Desde novembro de 2020 no comando do Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira já conquistou seis títulos: duas Libertadores (2020 e 2021), uma Copa do Brasil (2020), um Brasileirão (2022), uma Recopa Sul-Americana (2022) e um Paulistão (2022). Nos próximos meses, ainda sem data definida, ele disputará uma taça que ainda é inédita para o clube: a Supercopa do Brasil, diante do Flamengo.
Wicketkeeper hits 73 during record tenth-wicket stand to keep promotion-chasers in contention for victory
ECB Reporters Network21-Sep-2023
Harry Swindells made more vital runs in his first Championship appearance of the season•Getty Images
Harry Swindells, the unlikely hero as Leicestershire picked up their first silverware in 12 years last weekend, kept alive their hopes of a return to Division One in the LV= Insurance County Championship for the first time in 20 years on day three against Yorkshire at Grace Road.Fresh from his match-winning 117 not out in Saturday’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup final – his first List A game of the season – Swindells top-scored with 73 in his first appearance of the year in the Foxes’ red-ball team to secure a potentially valuable lead in this rain-affected match, albeit one that Yorkshire have chalked off for the loss of one wicket.Swindells shared a 10th-wicket partnership of 93 with Will Davis, who added a career-best unbeaten 44 to his 4 for 28 with the ball, as Leicestershire recovered from 140 for 9 to be bowled out for 233 in reply to Yorkshire’s 155. They had earlier been teetering at 97 for 6 as Yorkshire seamer George Hill took 4 for 69.Openers Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean continued their prolific form with their fourth 100-plus partnership of the season as Yorkshire closed 35 runs in front on 113 for 1, Bean having been bowled by Tom Scriven offering no shot. Rain and bad light cost a further 25 overs on the day.Leicestershire have two matches in which to overturn a deficit of 21 points behind second-placed Worcestershire if they are to join already-promoted Durham in Division One next season. A win in this match would be worth 19 points.Frustrated by bad light on the first evening and a complete washout on day two, it took Leicestershire only three deliveries on the third morning to snare the last Yorkshire wicket, Ben Cox taking a smart one-handed catch as Scriven dismissed Jordan Thompson to finish with 3 for 27.Yet until Swindells and Davis came together, Leicestershire looked to have wasted an opportunity to put themselves in a dominant position.On a pitch that looked no picnic to bat on, at least in the early part of the day, the home side suffered a setback two balls into their reply when Rishi Patel was given out leg before to Ben Coad despite getting forward a couple of good paces, but skipper Lewis Hill seemed determined that Coad and new-ball partner Thompson would not be calling the shots.Hill rattled off eight boundaries in the next nine overs as he and Sam Evans added 57 for the second wicket. But after his namesake George replaced Coad in the first change, Yorkshire seized the initiative.The former England Under-19 seamer’s first over conceded three of those eight boundaries, albeit one off a streaky inside edge, but he had the right-hander caught behind pushing at one in the next over and his dismissal prompted a Leicestershire collapse.From 58 for 1, they were 97 for 6 by lunch. Sam Evans and Umar Amin were leg before to Hill, the latter more convincingly than the former, before Bean caught Louis Kimber at third slip via second slip Lyth’s chest as 20-year-old Ben Cliff struck with the fourth ball of his second first-class match. In the last over of the session, Cox became the fourth batter to see umpire Neil Pratt’s finger raised as Hill claimed his fourth wicket.Scriven, on 2, was dropped twice off consecutive Coad deliveries soon after lunch, both put down by Lyth at second slip. He and Swindells appeared to steady the ship, only for three wickets in the space of seven balls to threaten to hand Yorkshire a first-innings lead. Lyth held a much more difficult catch to dismiss Scriven off Thompson, who sent Chris Wright’s off stump into a cartwheel two balls later before Cliff bowled Scott Currie.Yet it turned out Swindells was in the mood for more heroic deeds, leading an equally assertive Davis in a record 10th wicket stand for Leicestershire against Yorkshire, beating the mark of 70 set by George Geary and Alec Skelton in 1927, when the counties met at Leicestershire’s original home ground in Aylestone Road.Picking up most of his runs square of the wicket, Swindells completed a 57-ball half century containing seven fours. Davis hit seven boundaries to pass his previous best of 42 against Kent here two years ago before Swindells feathered a catch behind off Matthew Revis, with a useful 78-run lead in the bank.Both Davis and Swindells are out of contract at the end of the season and have yet to learn if they will be offered new ones.
da esoccer bet： Manchester United have now struck an agreement to sign a “world-class” striker in the summer, according to a report.
Red Devils keen on a striker
da 888casino： It would be fair to say there are a number of positions Man United will need to strengthen if they are to compete for the biggest honours once again, and Rasmus Hojlund’s performances this season indicate a new striker will be required.
The Dane has just two goals to his name in the Premier League, and the alternative option hasn’t performed much better either, with Joshua Zirkzee finding the back of the net three times in the top flight since joining from Bologna in the summer.
As such, it is little wonder Ruben Amorim is pursuing a new striker, and a number of targets have been identified, with a recent report revealing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is of interest, alongside Atalanta marksman Mateo Retegui.
Man Utd named frontrunners for £50m star as possible Hojlund replacement
Amorim is starting to lose patience with Hojlund, and the club already have a replacement in mind.
ByBrett Worthington Feb 11, 2025
Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is a player well-known to Amorim from his time with the Portuguese club, and the striker has become a target for a number of top clubs as a result of his performances in the Liga Portugal.
However, a report from Spain has now claimed Man United have already struck a deal to sign Gyokeres in the summer, having identified the need to improve their goal-scoring output, given their struggles this term.
The Swedish forward has a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract, but the Portuguese side have shown a willingness to come down to a fee of around €70m (£58m).
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres
The report states United have been the most persistent of any potential suitor, and they now stand in line to reap the rewards in the summer, although it is not clear which fee they have settled on.
Gyokeres could be a "world-class" signing
In truth, the idea that a deal has already been agreed raises skepticism, with no other sources reporting an agreement has been struck for the 26-year-old to move to Old Trafford.
United are almost certain to miss out on Champions League football once again this season, which means the move may not be the most attractive proposition for a striker who appears to be entering his prime.
However, if the Red Devils are able to get a deal done, there are clear signs he would be a real upgrade in attack, having been lauded as “world-class” by members of the media.
The Sporting star has scored 22 goals in 20 Liga Portugal matches this season, while he has also proven himself in the Champions League, scoring six in eight games in Europe’s elite competition.
Hojlund is still only 22-years-old and has plenty of time to improve, but it is clear United need to bring in a ready-made top striker if they are going to get back to where they should be, and Gyokeres could be the perfect addition.
da bwin： O volante Danilo, do Palmeiras, não está com a Seleção Brasileira que vai disputar a Copa do Mundo no Catar, mas já foi convocado pelo técnico Tite para jogos do Brasil antes da lista final com os 26 nomes, mas acabou não entrando em campo.
> Veja a tabela da Copa do Mundo 2022
>Mais um título! Veja quanto o Palmeiras já faturou em premiação com Abel Ferreira
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasTécnico campeão da Libertadores, Ricardo Belli chega ao 100º jogo pelo Palmeiras femininoPalmeiras22/11/2022PalmeirasZagueiros-artilheiros! Gómez e Murilo superam atacantes do Palmeiras em 2022; veja númerosPalmeiras21/11/2022PalmeirasAbel Ferreira diz que não verá a Copa e elogia duas joias do PalmeirasPalmeiras21/11/2022
da premier bet： De férias após a conquista do Campeonato Brasileiro com o Verdão, o volante acredita no hexacampeonato brasileiro, e também comentou o clima entre os jogadores que estão no Mundial.
– Claro, claro. Acho que vai vir sim. A rapaziada que está lá é muito gente boa e todo mundo lá está focado em conquistar o hexa. Estou com o menino Ney, adulto Ney agora, né? – afirmou o palmeirense, em entrevista ao Band News FM.
A Seleção Brasileira estreia na Copa nesta quinta-feira (24), contra a Sérvia, às 16h (de Brasília). No Grupo G ainda estão Suíça e Camarões.
Pakistan’s IPC ministry asks for “immediate termination of services of all heads of institutions appointed on political basis”
Danyal Rasool23-Aug-2023
Zaka Ashraf was named head of PCB’s new management committee back in July•Associated Press
Political developments could make their impact felt on the PCB yet again after Pakistan’s Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) ministry sent a note to the Prime Minister’s office that places the spotlight on the future of PCB head Zaka Ashraf.The letter references guidelines issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan, asking to “ensure immediate termination of services of all heads of institutions appointed on political basis and to send all such cases to the commission for approval of termination or otherwise”. Ashraf is highlighted as the first such case worthy of consideration, denoting him as a political appointee with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).The letter was signed off by the secretary of the IPC, Ahmed Orakzai, on August 15, and was addressed to the caretaker government, but only came to light a week later. The caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, was appointed the day before the communication was written. It is worth noting that the IPC, the ministry which sent the note to the PM’s office, does not currently have a sitting minister and in such cases, the PM assumes temporary charge of the ministry; effectively, Kakar is head of the ministry that issued the letter, as well as the one that received it.While caretaker governments have historically shown little desire to interfere with the workings of the PCB, there are reasons to believe it could be different this time around. The primary task of caretaker governments in Pakistan is to facilitate conditions for elections to be held within 90 days. But days after the caretaker government was set up, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that elections scheduled for no later than November would be postponed by several months. That means this caretaker government could take on the role of a regular government, and make decisions on a wider remit of things beyond just election preparations.While the note was issued over a week ago, serious ramifications have not yet been felt at the PCB. The board officials are confident that Ashraf’s position remains safe, and ESPNcricinfo understands that the government had offered the current PCB setup assurances they were not looking to bring about changes at the top. A PCB source criticised what it called “the recent campaign against the PCB’s head” as “malafide”, and said it was intended “to destabilise Pakistan cricket”.It has been pointed out that Ashraf resigned from the PPP on June 19, and therefore could not be considered a political appointee. It was also pointed out that the PCB has never played any part in Pakistan’s national or federal elections, and thus no caretaker government had any cause to make changes at the board.Ashraf was approved as head of a management committee by former PM Shahbaz Sharif to take charge at the PCB for a period of four months in July, after Najam Sethi resigned from the position. At the time, the political implications of the move were significant, with Sethi specifically citing a desire not to cause a rift between the PML(N)’s leader Shahbaz Sharif, and the PPP leader Asif Zardari, with the latter preferring Ashraf to Sethi as PCB head.In the coalition between the two parties, the sports ministry was held by Zardari’s PPP government, who insisted that meant they had the right to appoint a PCB head of choice. Two weeks later, Ashraf assumed charge at the helm of the PCB.
Wickets tumble as hosts reach small target to keep pressure on Surrey at top of Division One
ECB Reporters Network22-Jul-2023
Sam Cook claimed seven wickets in the match•Getty Images
Essex 458 for 8 dec (Critchley 117, A Cook 87, Harmer 83*, Arshdeep 3-58) and 30 for 3 beat Kent 207 (Compton 47, S Cook 3-19) and 280 (Finch 114, Evison 58, S Cook 4-46, Harmer 4-72) by seven wicketsEssex made heavy weather of scoring the 30 runs required to beat Kent by seven wickets and secure their fourth successive LV= Insurance County Championship victory. It needed Paul Walter to keep his head when others around him were losing theirs and stroke the winning runs 23 balls into what turned into a more difficult run chase than necessary.Essex attempted to make light work of reaching the target and were halfway there from the first over bowled by Hamid Qadri. But that was the prelude to the drama. Dan Lawrence was first to go when he tried to hit Grant Stewart’s first ball out of the ground but only skied to mid-on.Adam Rossington followed in the next over, lbw attempting to reverse sweep Qadri, and first-innings centurion Matt Critchley departed first ball to a caught-and-bowled by the offspinner, taken running back and over his head at mid-on. That was 23 for 3 in the third over, but Essex managed to get over the line in the next over to take 21 points and keep up the pressure on Championship leaders Surrey.With the threat of rain around later in the day, Essex needed eight overs before breaking the stubborn overnight partnership. But once Qadri departed to a smart catch at short square leg by Simon Harmer the innings collapsed in just six balls.Sam Cook added a second of the morning three balls later when Matt Quinn played on and Joey Evison fell lbw to the first ball of Harmer’s 44th over of the innings. Harmer finished with 4 for 72 to take his season’s tally to 41 wickets and Cook had figures of 4 for 46.