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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca expects both Liam Delap and Estevao to be available when in-form Aston Villa visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Delap has recovered from a shoulder injury he sustained during the draw with Bournemouth on December 6 when it seemed the £30 million ($40.5 million) striker could be set for a lengthy lay-off.

The 22-year-old has yet to score his first Premier League goal since moving from Ipswich in the transfer window, having missed around 10 weeks of the season, mostly with a groin problem suffered on his first home start in August.

The return of Estevao, who has not played since coming on as a late substitute in the December 13 win over Everton, also bolsters Maresca’s options.

“Estevao is available for Saturday and also Liam Delap,” Maresca said. “We didn’t know exactly how long (Delap) needed to be out. Very happy for both.”

Saturday’s match will see two of England’s leading number 10s in opposition, with Villa’s Morgan Rogers up against Chelsea’s Cole Palmer as they both look to cement their international spot ahead of next year’s World Cup.

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Rogers has been in fine form for third-placed Villa this season but Maresca was happy to stand by his man, saying: “I love Cole and Cole is my player. It’s a good option for (England manager) Thomas (Tuchel) but in the end it’s his decision.”

Reece James has impressed for fourth-placed Chelsea following several injury-blighted campaigns and was instrumental in the Blues coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Newcastle.

Maresca, asked whether James is behaving like the captain he wants, replied: “Absolutely, yes. He is growing in terms of leadership, in terms of playing more minutes. This is why we are happy, because first of all he can be fit and healthy, and then because he can be a leader.

“He is one of the main players. He’s an academy player, he’s the captain. When he’s fit, he’s one of the best players we have, no doubt.”

READ: Amorim wants Man Utd players to cover ‘irreplaceable’ Fernandes

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has urged his players to “step up” in the absence of “impossible to replace” skipper Bruno Fernandes.

The Portugal international suffered a soft tissue injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa and, although Amorim believes the midfielder will be back soon, he is acutely aware of the need to fill the gap in United’s attack.

Fernandes, who has started every Premier League match this season, is the English top-flight’s most creative player, creating 51 chances and while he is sidelined, United will also be without Kobbie Mainoo for Friday’s clash at home to Newcastle.

“It is impossible to replace Bruno but I said that this morning to the team,” Amorim told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“We need to take the good thing — if there is a good thing on that — that a lot of people need to step up and understand we cannot rely on one player for everything.

“Sometimes we rely on Bruno for organisation and the creation. We have lost Bruno on set-pieces, Bryan (Mbeumo) and Amad (Diallo) on set-pieces, so this is massive for the team.

“But it is an opportunity for other players to step up and show the leadership that we need in the team.”

The Portuguese boss, asked what United would miss most when deprived of Fernandes’s leadership qualities, replied: “Everything.

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“He understands every position on the field, he pays attention to every detail; every set-piece when you have a substitution he is always the guy telling the other guys where they should be.

“But that is a very good opportunity for guys like Licha (Lisandro Martinez), Luke Shaw, all these guys. We need to step up to have more leaders in the group because this can happen to Bruno.

“It is not usual but this can happen, so it is a big opportunity for the other guys.

“We have other players we need to maybe try to see different ways of playing. I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job (when he came on against Villa) and that is why when we have this opportunity we have to give space to Jack and the other ones.

“We will find solutions to play.”

United are currently seventh in the table, three points adrift of the Champions League places.

After Newcastle, United face basement club Wolves, Leeds, Burnley and Brighton. They will look to pile up the points ahead of what are sure to be sterner challenges in back-to-back games against title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal.

United have won just two of their last eight league fixtures but Amorim said: “I am confident we can win any game.

“Of course we have some problems, but even without many players in this moment in time I believe in the team and I believe we can win any game.

“Of course it is more difficult but I trust in my players and if we are really focused, we can win.”

READ: Arshad Nadeem set to light up inaugural World Sports Summit

MELBOURNE: England skipper Ben Stokes has thrown his weight behind opener Ben Duckett after the ECB launched a probe into a viral video allegedly showing the batter intoxicated during the Noosa trip.

The video, which surfaced on the X platform, shows Ben Duckett reportedly appearing drunk and losing on his way back to the team hotel in Noosa during the break between the second Ashes Test.

Despite the controversy, Duckett is set to play the fourth Test of the Ashes series, starting Friday.

Ahead of the Test match, Duckett got Stokes’ public backing with the skipper describing him as the linchpin of England’s batting lineup and an influential figure in the change room.

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“It’s all pretty fresh and pretty new. I’ve obviously reached out and spoken to him and offered my complete support to him throughout this.

The 34-year-old recalled reflecting on his challenging time during the 2018 Australia tour, saying scrutiny can heavily affect players off the field.

“I have first-hand experience of how this can affect people,” he said.

“I will always support my players, particularly in a moment like this where everything feels like it’s on top of you – and for some players more than others as well.

My job as England captain is obviously to be out there and get results for the team, but also to try to give people the best chance of being in a mental space where they can go out there and perform,” he concluded.

Duckett, who is yet to make his mark down under after a series of low scores in the first three Tests, will now be under scrutiny as England look for their first win on Australian soil since their triumphant 2011 tour.

READ: PCB announces global response to bids for new PSL teams

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday announced that it had received an encouraging response to the tender issued for the sale of two new franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to the board, it has received an overwhelming response from 12 parties within the stipulated deadline.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an exceptional and encouraging response to the tender issued for the sale of two new franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Within the stipulated deadline, 12 parties have formally submitted their bids,” the board said in a press release.

“These bidders belong to five continents, including the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Pakistan, which clearly reflects the PSL’s growing global popularity and commercial appeal,” it added.

As per the board, the outcome of this particular phase of the bidding process will be revealed on 27 December, while technically qualified bidders will be given a chance to purchase the two new teams through an open competition bidding process.

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The open competition bidding will be held on 8 January at the Islamabad Convention Centre.

Earlier, the bid deadline previously set for December 22 was extended to December 24 for the second time due to the two bank holidays and at the request of the bidding parties.

For the unversed, the Pakistan Super League, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

READ: Arshad Nadeem set to light up inaugural World Sports Summit

Pakistan ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is set light up the inaugural World Sports Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 29 and 30, 2025.

The event is the first of its kind and will bring together global stakeholders who are influential in shaping the present and future of sport and technology.

Among the participating leaders are business figures, Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and visionaries.

“The World Sports Summit is the most exclusive global gathering dedicated to inspiring the future of sport.

Built on values that reflect the human spirit of athletes and the universal vision of sports, WSS brings together leaders, legends, and innovators to create lasting impact,” the statement read on the official website.

 

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“Guided by the principles of Humanity & Resilience, Unity & Inclusion, Excellence, Innovation, and Legacy, the summit serves as a platform where ideas transform into action, collaborations cross borders, and sport becomes a force for progress and inspiration worldwide,” it added.

For those unaware, Pakistan Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has also been selected as an honouree for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Global Sports Award 2025.

The star thrower has been requested to feature in the summit programme and to receive the award during a parallel official ceremony.

In its official communication, the Dubai Sports Council has requested all concerned authorities to provide the necessary facilitation for Nadeem’s travel and official procedures, while extending best wishes for his continued success.

The high-profile guest list also includes several sports icons from across disciplines, such as football greats Ronaldo, Carles Puyol, and Kaka, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, tennis star Sania Mirza, and professional MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev.

READ: Kohli breaks another Tendulkar record on Vijay Hazare return

BENGALURU: India ace batter Virat Kohli on Wednesday shattered yet another record of legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to 16,000 runs in men’s List A cricket during the Delhi opening match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Kohli reached the landmark in his 330th innings on his Vijay Hazare Trophy return. On the contrary, Sachin crossed the feat in his 391st innings.

With this, Kohli now holds the record for the fastest player to reach each set of 1000 runs from 10,000 onwards.

Fastest to 16,000 Runs in List A Cricket

Virat Kohli in 330 Innings

Sachin Tendulkar in 391 Innings

Gordon Greenidge in 422 Innings

Ricky Ponting in 430 Innings

Graham Gooch in 435 Innings

Viv Richards in 435 Innings

Nonetheless, Kohli hit 131 from 101 balls with the help of three sixes and 14 fours, which helped Delhi chase down a target of 299 against Andhra Pardesh in 37.4 overs.

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The right-hander scored ton on 84 balls with a muted celebration.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma also hit a ton and scored 155 from 94 balls, a knock which propelled him past David Warner.

Warner had registered nine scores of 150+ in his List A career, while Rohit Sharma also equalled the record with his majestic knock.

The ace batter’s knock was laced with 18 fours and nine maximums, powering  Mumbai to an eight-wicket victory over Sikkim.

For the unversed, the players’ participation in domestic competition comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued strict guidelines for centrally contracted players.

The guidelines imply centrally contracted players’ compulsory participation in domestic competition in a bid to remain eligible for selection in the national team.

The policy was made in early January 2025 in the aftermath of India’s Test series loss against Australia down under.

READ: Bavuma breaks silence on ‘dwarf, grovel’ remark on India tour

South Africa ODI and Test skipper Temba Bavuma opened up on the recently concluded tour of India, addressing the controversies that happened during the Test series.

Bavuma, in his article on Cricinfo, wrote about the incidents that happened during the series and their memorable 2-0 triumph, marking their first Test series win in India since 2000.

However, the tour was marred by some controversies, starting from the series opener when India players Jasprit Bumrah and the wicket-keeper were caught on stump mic calling Bavuma a ‘dwarf’.

Both players’ chat went viral as they called Bavuma ‘Bauna’ (Dwarf), a term referring to a person of short height.

“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised,” he said.

“When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about, I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it, the skipper revealed.

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Bavuma said that he held grudges and shed light on the ‘Grovel’ remark that stirred controversy during the tour.

“What happens on the field stays on the field, but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se,” he continued

“I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments that were made. I thought Shukri was the man best positioned to give context to it all.

The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavoury taste to it, but I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was and what it meant to certain individuals within the group,” he said.

The 35-year-old talked about the head coach putting the issue to rest while admitting that he could have used a better phrase to share his thoughts.

“Shukri spoke after the ODI series and put that issue to bed. In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word, and I agree with him,” he concluded.

READ: ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to make a host of changes in the Pakistan squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which is set to begin in the upcoming month.

According to the sources, the squad is likely to see new faces as the consultations for the side are underway.

Among the notable inclusions will be off vice-captain Shadab Khan, who was ruled out of Pakistan’s packed cricketing calendar in May.

Meanwhile, pacer Haris Rauf, who was not included in the squad for the home series against South Africa, is also set to make a return. However, his inclusion is subject to availability and fitness.

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Sources privy to the matter said that emerging batter Maaz Sadaqat could also be in contention after a stellar display during Pakistan’s Shaheen and domestic competitions. While fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal is also likely to be included in the squad.

Notably, Pakistan players, who are currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, will continue to feature in Australia’s premier T20 competition and will be available for the Sri Lanka tour, subject to their availability and workload management.

The series against Sri Lanka will begin on January 7, with the next two T20Is to be played on January 9 and 11 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

For the unversed, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on February 7 in Sri Lanka and India, with the deadline for preliminary squads submission is January 7.

READ: Former pacer takes swipe at Babar Azam for crediting Sarfaraz

Former fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has taken a dig at Babar Azam for crediting Sarfaraz Ahmed on Pakistan’s triumph in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025.

Congratulatory messages poured in after Pakistan outplayed arch-rivals India in the final by a hefty margin of 191 runs.

Among the senders were former and current cricketers, who praised the team and Sarfaraz Ahmed for delivering an outstanding performance.

Babar Azam, who is currently in Australia for the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, credited team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed for bringing the best out of the young players.

“Well done, boys! Lifting the trophy after a stellar campaign and dominating the final.

Big credit to Saifi Bhai, whose experience shaped this triumph. Keep the hunger going,” Babar Azam wrote on his X account.

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However, the congratulatory message did not sit well with Tanvir Ahmed, who has long an admirer of Babar Azam.

“No credit goes to [Sarfaraz Ahmed]. All of it goes to Shahid Anwar, Azhar Ali and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, as all of the hard work was done by them,” Tanvir replied to Babar’s post on X.

“I am disappointed that you gave all the credit to Sarfaraz,” he lamented.

For the unversed, Sarfaraz Ahmed was named the team mentor and manager ahead of the U19 Asia Cup 2025.

The glory added another trophy to Sarfaraz’s cabinet as the wicket-keeper batter has led Pakistan to three major titles against India.

He captained the national side to the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup glory in 2006, defeating arch-rivals India in the final, and later guided Pakistan to a historic ICC Men’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, where they thrashed India by 180 runs in the summit clash.

READ: ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations

Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson grabbed a brace as Senegal eased to a 3-0 victory over Botswana in the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.

Jackson, on loan at the Bundesliga giants from Chelsea, struck either side of half-time in Tangier, with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring late on.

The victory took Senegal to the top of the table in Group D on goal difference, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Benin 1-0 in Rabat earlier.

It was a predictable outcome to the first match of the tournament for both teams as Senegal are 119 places above Botswana in the world rankings.

Senegal and DR Congo, both former champions, are expected to fill the top two places and qualify for the round of 16.

Benin and Botswana will view their clash on Saturday as a must-win affair, giving potential victors a chance to fill one of four places in the knockout stage reserved for third-placed teams.

Torrential rain greeted the teams as they walked on to the pitch at the 75,000-seat stadium, the biggest by capacity of the nine being used in Morocco for the tournament.

Senegal had a great chance to take the lead within three minutes in a one-on-one situation, but goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko blocked a Jackson shot.

Two-time African player of the year Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Jackson all came close to breaking the deadlock as the Teranga Lions dominated possession, while the Zebras defended in depth.

While Senegal and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was a mere spectator, Phoko was constantly in action, using his hands, feet and legs to keep the west Africans at bay.

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But endless Senegalese pressure finally reaped a reward on 40 minutes when Germany-born Ismail Jakobs and Germany-based Jackson combined to put one of the title favourites ahead.

Jakobs cut in from the left and pulled the ball back to Jackson, who reacted instantly, using his left foot to steer the ball wide of Phoko and into the net.

Botswana, who qualified at the expense of shock 2026 World Cup qualifiers Cape Verde, finally threatened to score in added time at the end of the opening half.

But they failed to take advantage of a free kick just outside the area. A weak shot was deflected for a corner that was overhit and went out of play beyond the far post without being touched.

A flowing move from midfield with quick, crisp passing set up Jackson to double the lead after 58 minutes.

When the ball was worked to him in the box, the 24-year-old rounded Mosha Gaolaolwe and tapped home.

Cherif Ndiaye put the cherry on the cake for Senegal as he finished smartly at the end of another fine team move in the 90th minute.

Confident his team were cruising to victory, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw introduced 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye from European champions Paris Saint-Germain midway through the second half.

The teenage striker last month became the youngest Senegalese scorer in an international when he netted in a 8-0 rout of Kenya in an AFCON warm-up match.

READ: ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations