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Shoaib Malik, a former Pakistan captain, will lead the team again in the Twenty20 international against Australia in Melbourne on February 5

Cricinfo staff01-Feb-2010Shoaib Malik, a former Pakistan captain, will lead the team again in the Twenty20 international against Australia in Melbourne on February 5 after Shahid Afridi, the regular limited-overs captain, was banned for two matches because of a ball-tampering incident during the fifth ODI in Perth.Malik will be the third captain on this tour, after Mohammad Yousuf and Afridi. Yousuf, the team’s Test captain, is not part of the Twenty20 squad, while Younis Khan, who was recently replaced by Yousuf, had retired from the format following the World Twenty20 victory in 2009. Kamran Akmal, the squad’s vice-captain, was overlooked after he was dropped for the final ODI of the series.Malik has led the Pakistan team in the past, in all three formats. He was first appointed as the captain in May 2007, after Pakistan’s disastrous World Cup campaign under Inzamam-ul-Haq. He had been at the helm for three Tests and 36 ODIs, before handing over the reins to Younis Khan in early 2009. Malik met with the most success as a Twenty20 captain, tasting defeat only twice in 14 matches, including a run to the finals of the World Cup in 2007. His batting and bowling averages are markedly higher in matches where he captained the side.

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after The Sun revealed that Gary Cahill is being considered as a late loan target for the Eagles, as Fulham eye a centre-back of their own in Scott Dann.

Dann has made just one appearance this season, playing 90 minutes in the FA Cup against Grimsby having made a full recovery from a serious knee injury suffered against Manchester City last season, although he is now struggling to dislodge James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho from the starting lineup.

Fulham were keen on a deal for Cahill originally, as the 33-year-old is seemingly surplus to requirements at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri, but the England international was not keen on a move to Craven Cottage.

No one is safe from the Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan. Check out what happened when he watched West Ham v Crystal Palace on Saturday in the video below…

Roy Hodgson’s Palace are supposedly eyeing a loan move with the potential to make the deal permanent in the summer, however eyebrows have been raised at the news of their interest as they are still in desperate need of a striker.

The south London-based side have seen just three goals scored between their senior striking options this season in Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham – the former has two, Benteke none, and Wickham one.

Understandably, Palace fans aren’t too happy about the club’s reported interest in Cahill…

Batsmen Aditya Mishra and Clain Williams have been added to USA’s squad for their three upcoming games against Jamaica at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida

Cricinfo staff18-May-2010Batsmen Aditya Mishra and Clain Williams have been added to USA’s squad for their three upcoming games against Jamaica at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida. Their inclusion follows the withdrawal of two players, Sushil Nadkarni and Rashard Marshall, due to work commitments. However, both will return to represent USA in Americas Regional Division One Tournament in Bermuda at the end o the month.”It’s a great feeling to represent the national side, to get to play against a very good team,” Mishra told Dreamcricket.com. “I think it’s the result of all the effort that I’m putting in and I’m glad that I made it so I’m very happy.”Mishra, 28, had also represented Karnataka in India’s domestic circuit in 2001-02.Williams, 29, played just one game in the World Cricket League Division Five Tournament and was often used as a substitute fielder.USA will play three games against Jamaica, including a 50-over game.USA squad: Steve Massiah (capt), Ashhar Mehdi (wk), Carl Wright (wk), Timroy Allen, Orlando Baker, Lennox Cush, Muhammad Ghous, Adrian Gordon, Moazzam Imtiaz, Bilal Khan, Aditya Mishra, Andy Mohammed, Aditya Thyagarajan, Clain Williams.

A round-up from the latest Friends Provident t20 matches as a host of England players make a rare county appearance

13-Jun-2010North GroupJim Troughton impressed for Warwickshire before the rain came•Getty ImagesSamit Patel’s second half-century in three days secured a third straight win for Nottinghamshire as they swept aside Worcestershire by six wickets with 23 balls to spare. After limiting the visitors to 150 for 7, with Dirk Nannes and Graeme White both picking up two wickets, Patel hit 63 from 34 balls with five fours and three sixes while David Hussey was unbeaten on 34, finishing off the match with a straight six.Yorkshire suffered a 14-run defeat to Northamptonshire under the Duckworth-Lewis method in their Friends Provident t20 clash at Headingley – but the home side were struggling even before the weather closed in. Replying to the Steelbacks’ modest 151 for 7 the hosts were 51 for 4 after 7.5 overs and falling well behind the required rate. Yorkshire’s innings started badly when Jacques Rudolph fell to a great diving catch at long on in the first over from Chaminda Vaas and it became 16 for 2 as skipper Andrew Gale drove to wide mid-off and become the first of three victims for paceman Jack Brooks.A rapid half-century by Warwickshire left hander Jim Troughton went to waste when rain ended Lancashire’s reply in the meeting at Edgbaston. Openers Tom Smith and Paul Horton made three runs in a solitary over from Neil Carter before the match was abandoned with each side taking one point to stay in contention in a congested North group.Paul Collingwood shone with the ball on his first Durham appearance of the season before rain wrecked their match with Derbyshire. England’s World Twenty20-winning captain conceded only 21 runs from his four overs, but the Dynamos were still facing a daunting run chase after the Falcons plundered 172 for 3 from 19 overs. Loots Bosman scored his second half century in the competition and former Somerset batsman Wes Durston hit two sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 71 from 53 balls.South GroupKevin Pietersen made his first appearance for Hampshire for two years in their match with Surrey but was upstaged by opening batsman Jimmy Adams. The left hander went on to make 101 not out, his first century in the competition, and share in a stand of 144 in 12 overs with Sean Ervine for the third wicket. Hampshire finished with 201 for 2 and Surrey made a reasonable fist of their chase before going down by 10 runs. They made 191 for 9 but were never seriously threatening the Hampshire total.Middlesex beat Essex by five runs in a thrilling gameat Lord’s to record their second win of the season in the competition. The hosts had posted a substantial total of 200 for 6 from their allotted overs, with captain-elect Neil Dexter top-scoring with 43, but their opponents produced a brave attempt in the pursuit thanks to a stunning effort from Ryan ten Doeschate. The Dutch all-rounder scored 102 from 54 deliveries, clearing the ropes on seven occasions and also adding five fours to keep his side in the hunt. When he eventually holed out to Eoin Morgan at cover off the bowling of Pedro Collins, Essex required a further 23 runs. But the initiative had been regained by the home side with the wicket and when the final over commenced, 15 runs were needed.Kent cruised to a 36-run victory over Gloucestershire at Gloucester after posting an imposing 217 all out – their highest Twenty20 score. The Spitfires made the most of the short boundaries at Archdeacon Meadow to hammer the highest score in the South Division this season, with Rob Key (44), Joe Denly (48) and Alex Blake (33) the main contributors. Will Porterfield’s bright 43 gave Gloucestershire hope, but they collapsed from 62 for 1 to 94 for 6 as Simon Cook took three wickets for 22 runs. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 181, despite Chris Taylor’s defiant 67 off 36 balls.Defending Twenty20 champions Sussex preserved their 100 per cent record to win the South Group top of the table clash against previously unbeaten Glamorgan at Cardiff. In an enthralling contest of twists and turns Glamorgan won the toss and made a competitive 143 for 6 in their 20 overs on a Cardiff pitch that had been used for two previous Friends Provident t20 matches. But on the slow surface Sussex reached their target by three wickets with seven balls to spare.

The England midfielder scored another two goals to ensure Pep Guardiola's side came from behind to see off their local rivals

Manchester City might not be playing at their scintillating best at present, but they remain just one point off Premier League leaders Liverpool after Phil Foden inspired the defending champions to come from behind and beat local rivals Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday.

City dominated the early proceedings, but found themselves behind at half-time after Marcus Rashford's stunning eighth-minute strike was followed by an impressive rearguard from the visitors, as well as an incredible close-range miss from Erling Haaland.

But just as he has so many times already this season, it was Foden to the rescue, as he first cut inside to lash a left-footed drive into the top corner from 20 yards, before netting the winner after trading passes with Julian Alvarez. Haaland then added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage-time after United gave the ball away on the edge of their own penalty area.

The win keeps Pep Guardiola's side within touching distance of Liverpool, whom they visit next Sunday in what may now prove to be a title-decider at Anfield.

GOAL rates City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Ederson (6/10):

Had no chance with Rashford's stunning strike. Largely a spectator thereafter, but did rush out to challenge Garnacho well shortly before Foden made it 2-1.

Kyle Walker (7/10):

Did well to track back against Rashford and snuff out counter-attacks on a couple of occasions. Otherwise offered himself as the spare man in attacks on numerous occasions.

Ruben Dias (5/10):

Potentially could have done better up against Fernandes in the build-up to Rashford's goal, but otherwise his game was limited to keeping the ball ticking over as City built from the back.

Nathan Ake (4/10):

Played Fernandes onside for the opening goal and never looked wholly comfortable from a defensive point of view.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

John Stones (6/10):

Took up his now usual position in central midfield and kept City ticking over while getting involved physically on the rare occasion the ball was turned over.

Rodri (7/10):

At the heart of City's best attacks, with Stones' positioning meaning the Spaniard could move further up the pitch for the most part. Tested Onana with a volleyed effort in the first half and got the assist for Haaland's late goal.

Bernardo Silva (5/10):

Couldn't control the game in the same way he did at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Lacked any real cutting edge to his passing on the edge of the box.

Kevin De Bruyne (4/10):

Probably his most disappointing performance since returning from injury. United crowded him out for the most part, while to say his finishing was wayward would be kind.

Getty ImagesAttack

Phil Foden (10/10):

City's best player throughout, and by some distance. Always dangerous in attack, and after twice being denied by Onana in the first half, found the equaliser with a stunning strike after the break. Superb give-and-go with Alvarez then settled it. In the form of his career right now.

Erling Haaland (5/10):

Not for the first time in recent weeks, the Norwegian missed the target when it looked easier to score from Foden's headed cross late in the first half. Struggled to get fully into the game throughout, but did get his goal in stoppage-time with a well-taken finish.

Jeremy Doku (4/10):

A box of tricks as usual, but the Belgium winger's final product left a lot to be desired. Replaced by Alvarez before the hour-mark.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Julian Alvarez (7/10):

Gave City's attack a different dimension after replacing Doku, and provided the all-important assist for Foden's winner.

Oscar Bobb (N/A):

On for Foden in stoppage-time.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Can't be blamed for some of the missed chances in the first half, and the introduction of Alvarez meant Bernardo and Foden could then switch flanks and cause confusion. It was Foden popping up on the left that ended up settling the game.

Siddarth Ravindran in Bangalore01-Sep-2012Barely had the Saturday crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium finished savouring one of their favourite shots in cricket – a Sachin Tendulkar straight drive – when Tendulkar was bowled through the gate by Doug Bracewell and India were down at 80 for 4. As in 2010, the apparent no-hopers from New Zealand had again pushed India to a tight spot. The rescue artist VVS Laxman was no longer around, and it was down to the Test rookies to save them.Despite India still being nearly 300 behind, Suresh Raina didn’t opt for wait-and-watch cricket. Instead, he went on the offensive, with a hat-trick of fours off Bracewell, and a patented extra-cover loft for six off Jeetan Patel. Suddenly, the New Zealand attack was no longer as menacing and the Indian fightback was well and truly on.Raina said he was inspired by Ross Taylor’s hurricane hundred on the first day. “Whenever I got the ball in my area, I made sure to bat positively because Taylor was going really great against us so this is the style I would like to play in Test cricket,” he said. “At the same time I need to control my aggression, need to judge the line and length, so I am getting better. I have done well in one-dayers so hopefully I will be better in Test cricket too.”By the time Raina was dismissed for 55, India had progressed to 179 and Virat Kohli was looking assured. Though Raina was disappointed he couldn’t carry on to a bigger score, it was a vital innings for him, as his place is the most vulnerable in the Indian line-up. After the mauling in England last year where he looked completely out of depth, this is Raina’s comeback series and the challengers for his spot are plenty.Raina knows the importance of this series for him, and it helped that he is fresh off several match-turning knocks in the recent limited-overs series in Sri Lanka. “There was no pressure to score big runs but I always looked to enjoy the game,” he said. “I didn’t do well in England but I went back to the domestic cricket, played couple of matches, scored a double hundred and then played crucial knocks against Sri Lanka and did well in the IPL.”Now that we have a lot of young players, this is the time to score as many runs and book my place in the side because there are a lot of Test matches coming up in India and abroad as well.”With Raina’s exit, New Zealand had a look-in, but like India’s bowlers in the final session on Friday, the visitors also failed to produce breakthroughs late in the day, as Kohli and MS Dhoni helped India even up the match. Tim Southee, who justified his selection ahead of Chris Martin with three wickets, didn’t think his side flagged as the day progressed.”No, we’re still creating chances and getting edges,” Southee said. “I guess we didn’tbuild enough pressure through dot balls. The ball got a bit old and it wasn’t carrying. I thought we bowled well. It just gets easier as the ball gets older and unfortunately we couldn’t get it to reverse.. “I don’t think it was a very abrasive surface so the ball hasn’t scuffed up as much as we would have liked. That’s why we couldn’t get it to reverse.”With the old ball proving ineffective, Southee said the first hour on Sunday will be crucial. “The wicket is a pretty good wicket. So I guess now it’s a pretty important time for us with the second new ball (which is two overs away) to see if we can pick up the rest of the wickets.”

Lalit Modi, the commissioner of the Champions League Twenty20, has said the venue for the 2010 tournament has not yet been decided

Cricinfo staff19-Feb-2010The Champions League Twenty20 has been thrown into confusion with Lalit Modi, the tournament chairman, saying the venue for the 2010 edition has not yet been decided – a direct contradiction of a public and detailed statement released hours earlier by the South African board saying they had been chosen as hosts.”News that South Africa is hosting Champions League is incorrect. They are a hot contender definitely. Also who are invited to play is still to be decided,” Modi said on his Twitter feed. “Many countries are in the running to host the Champions League. We will keep you posted as and when we decide.” He went on to list Australia, England, India and the Middle East as the other possible contenders for the tournament.In a press release later, Modi said: “We are delighted with Cricket South Africa conveying their immediate consent to host the second edition of the CLT20 today. Further acceptances are expected from other boards and then the governing council will take a final decision on the host country. We will have to evaluate venue availability, weather, pitches etc, amongst a host of other variables prior to finalising a host country for the league of champions. The governing council’s decision will be conveyed to our fans very soon.”The CSA’s statement – equally unambiguous – followed a board meeting on Friday. It said it had “accepted an invitation” for South Africa to host the 2010 Champions League Twenty20 from September 10-26. It was “our turn to host the tournament”, it said, and added that it would be held at three venues – two would be the home grounds of the Standard Bank Pro20 finalists this year and one would be decided later.”CSA is a shareholder in the Champions League, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Australian Cricket Association (ACA), and it is our turn to host the tournament,” the release said.Mtutuzeli Nyoka, the CSA president, was quoted in the release as saying: “This is a prestigious tournament involving seven of the world’s top cricket nations. It will be another feather in South Africa’s cap as a host of world-class sports events and will not clash in any way with the FIFA World Cup 2010. It will also be a big boost to the local franchises, their players and supporters which will feature in the tournament.”The CSA release also said “the 12-team tournament comprises the top sides in the domestic limited-overs competitions in the following countries” and mentioned the number of participants from each country, which did not include a team from Pakistan. Modi, however, said who would be invited to play was not yet decided. “Invitation to CL will be decided at next Governing Council meeting,” he said on Twitter. “Number of teams to play also will be decided then. The dates are confirmed.”The participation of England players and county teams remains in doubt, for the tournament clashes with England’s home one-day series against Pakistan, the final two rounds of County Championship matches, plus the semi-finals and final of the ECB40 competition. Modi had said the dates were the only window available for the event, as India are due to play Australia in a one-day series in early October, and hoped the ECB could make minor adjustments to their domestic schedule, which the ECB chairman, Giles Clarke, ruled out.The Champions League Twenty20 is run by the boards of India, Australia and South Africa and its governing council comprises representatives from each board. Other countries participate in the tournament by invitation.South Africa had hosted the IPL in 2009, after the tournament was moved out of India as it clashed with the country’s general elections.

USWNT star Sam Mewis is looking for a new club after NWSL side KC Current confirmed the 31-year-old's departure.

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Mewis leaves KC CurrentHas struggled with injuryLooking for a new challengeWHAT HAPPENED?

Mewis is on the move after a two-year stay at KC Current. The club have announced her departure and wished her the best for the future. Mewis joined the club in 2021 but has struggled for appearances due to continued knee problems.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Mewis is facing an uncertain future as she bids to return to action after a nightmare time with injury. The USWNT star has not played for the national side since 2021 after undergoing two knee surgeries in the last two years. Her last appearances for her club side came in two Challenge Cup matches in pre-season back in March 2022.

WHAT MEWIS HAS SAID

Mewis has spoken about her injury nightmare recently on the 'Snacks' podcast for Just Women’s Sports. The 31-year-old has said her current objective is to "get as healthy as possible" and hopes to get her knee back "as good as it can get".

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WHAT NEXT FOR MEWIS?

Mewis is now a free agent and will be on the lookout for a new club. Her top priority will be to regain full fitness after a lengthy time on the sidelines and get back to doing what she enjoys the most.

Everything you need to know about Norwegian goal-machine Erling Haaland!

Erling Haaland is a professional footballer from Norway who currently plays as a striker for Manchester City in the Premier League and the Norway national team. Haaland was born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, England, while his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was playing for Leeds United. He grew up in Bryne, Norway, and started playing football at a young age.

In 2017, Haaland joined Molde FK, where he made his professional debut in the Norwegian Eliteserien. He quickly made an impression, scoring four goals in his debut match. He was then snapped up by Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg, where he made swift progress.

In December 2019, Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga after turning down a transfer to Salzburg's sister club RB Leipzig….and after smashing five past them in midweek, Leipzig supporters will be ruing the one who got away!

He made an instant impact on his arrival at Signal Iduna Park, scoring a hat-trick on his debut against FC Augsburg. Since then, he has gone from strength-to-strength as he continued to impress with his remarkable goalscoring exploits.

Haaland's performances during the 2020-21 season saw him announce himself as one of the best strikers on the planet. He scored 27 goals in 28 Bundesliga outings, finishing as the league's second-highest scorer behind Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski.

He also scored 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League, finishing as the competition's joint-top scorer alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe. His stellar form in Germany earned him a high-profile move to Premier League giants Manchester City in the summer of 2022, and his performances at the Etihad have since been mind-blowing.Haaland's playing style is a unique blend of traditional and modern target-man, underlined by his exceptional physical abilities and precision finishing. He stands 6'4 tall and boasts amazing speed, strength, and agility, making him a nightmare opponent for any defence. He's also a great finisher with both his feet and his head, and is capable of scoring goals from nothing.

To conclude, Erling Haaland is an incredible young footballer who is on course to be remembered as one of the best strikers the world has ever seen, while breaking numerous goalscoring records along the way.

With his talent and potential, Haaland is sure to rule the world of football for many

Here are 15 fun facts aboutErling Haaland you need to know…!

imago images / DigitalsportBorn to be an athlete! 🏃

Haaland has a very stong family background in the world of sports. His parents were both excellent athletes. Haaland's father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was also a professional footballer who played for some renowned English clubs like Leeds United and Manchester City during his career.

However, Haaland Sr. became famous for being a subject to one of the most infamous challenges in the history of football when Roy Keane produced a disgusting tackle in a feisty Manchester derby back in 2001.

His mother, Gry Marita Braun, meanwhile, is also recognised as a national champion in heptathlete in the 90s, while his grandfather was a well-known long-distance runner in Norway.

No wonder the kid's a monster!

AdvertisementCould've been a professional handball player 🤾

While Erling followed his father’s footsteps and became a footballer, Alf-Inge revealed in an interview that he ensured his son would try a whole host of other sports before choosing football. By 14, Erling had already had a taste of handball, athletics and cross-country skiing.

A natural athlete, Haaland excelled at a variety of sports growing up, he was an exceptional handball player, and was told by many coaches that he could make a career in that sport. His father later revealed that Norway's handball manager wanted him to play handball.

Thus, had things turned out differently for him in his formative days, he could have been a famous international handball player for Norway by now.

Getty ImagesA prolific jumper at five

Are you aware that Erling Haaland set his first world record at the age of five?

Now, we're trying hard not to believe the rumours about him being a Terminator, but these facts doesn't help in any way!

At five, most of us were busy watching cartoons, and playing video games..but not Haaland.

Despite his tender age, he was already training, taking part in multiple sports, and building himself to be a phenomenal athlete.

On 22nd January 2006, he produced a standing jump of crazy 1.63 metres!

It turned out to be a new world record, and 17 years later, that record still stands tall!

A world record-breaking jumper: at least, this explains some of the insane towering headers and freakish side-volleys we've come to see from him time and again.

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Was eligible to play for England

Needless to say, Haaland is the future of Norwegian football.

He has scored 21 times in just 23 games for the Drillos, and is the face of a young and competitive Norwegian side that narrowly missed out on qualification to the recent Qatar World Cup.

However, Haaland was born in Leeds and so could have been eligible to play for England. However, he emulated his father at both club and country levels by picking City and Norway, a decision that came naturally to him since he spent most of his youth in the Scandinavian country.

If the stars had aligned differently, Haaland and Kane would have lined up as a strike-pairing upfront, potentially firing Gareth Southgate's team to the elusive World Cup triumph. Defenders legs' would be shaking at that sight, wouldn't they?

The Indomitable Lions continue with their push for a sixth Afcon title when they tackle the tournament debutants

Cameroon will be aiming to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when they take on Comoros in a Round of 16 match at Paul Biya Stadium on Monday.

This is how coach Toni Conceicao has lined up his team.

BackpagePix.Goalkeeper: Andre Onana

The 25-year-old has not kept a clean sheet in his last three Afcon games.

AdvertisementBackpagepix.Left-back – Nouhou Tolo

The Seattle Sounders defender has been a consistent figure in Cameroon's team and his inclusion was a sure bet.

Backpagepix.Centre-back – Michael Ngadeu

The defender played in all the group games without being substituted and starts in this crucial Comoros encounter.

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GettyCentre-back – Jean-Charles Castelletto

The 26-year-old former France junior international returns to start his second match of the tournament in place of Harold Moukoudi who is on the bench.