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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended his policy of making regular wholesale changes to his team after criticism from Wayne Rooney that his approach is disruptive.

The Blues made seven changes for Wednesday’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Qarabag in Baku in the Champions League — the fifth game in a row in which the Italian had made at least that number of changes.

In all this season, Chelsea have made 85 alterations to their starting line-ups in all competitions, far more than any other Premier League side. The next closest are Liverpool, with 69.

Rooney used his BBC Sport show on Thursday to question whether players can build relationships when they rarely know who they will line up alongside.

But Maresca stood by his decisions ahead of Chelsea’s meeting with managerless Wolves on Saturday, pointing out that football has changed from the days when the former England and Manchester United forward played.

“We are in an era where anyone can say what they want,” he said on Friday, referring to Rooney’s remarks. “Since I joined the club, it’s my view to rotate players. No one complains when you win. When you don’t win, I can understand that no one agrees.

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“I loved rotation as a player. Football is a bit different compared to years ago in terms of physicality and intensity. It’s impossible to play with the same players 65 games in one season.

“You cannot say: ‘Why, years ago, was it possible?’ Because it was different. It was not so physical. I played for 20 years. Now it’s changed. You need to rotate.

“If you want to see the season like a marathon — when you are in February and March, the last sprint, you have to think in a different way. But it’s a long race.”

There was particular criticism directed at Maresca in Baku over his decisions in defence, with 19-year-old Jorrel Hato at fault for both goals conceded.

“When the rotation is Andrey Santos, a Brazilian international, and Jorrel Hato, a Dutch international, and Estevao, a Brazilian international, then it’s not about rotation,” he said.

“They are talented, they are young. When they are young, you have to give them a chance to make mistakes. But when you don’t win games, the problem is rotation.”

Chelsea are seventh in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to basement club Wolves.

READ: Sri Lanka names ODI, T20I squads for Pakistan tour

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka have unveiled the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) squads for the forthcoming tour of Pakistan, which is set to begin on November 11.

Charith Asalanka will lead both 16-member squads, which will play three ODIs and will participate in the T20I tri-series involving Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Opening batter Dilshan Madushanka was slated to be in the squad; however, he was ruled out due to injury, the Sri Lanka cricket team stated in a statement.

“Dilshan Madushanka was included in the original ODI squad but will not tour as he is recovering from a knee injury. Eshan Malinga has been named as his replacement,” the statement said.

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“Matheesha Pathirana was included in the original T20I squad but will not tour as he is recovering from an Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) he recently suffered. Asitha Fernando has been named as his replacement in the squad,” it added.

The second and third ODI will be played on November 13 and November 15, followed by the inaugural tri-series on Pakistan soil, commencing on November 17 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The series will serve as a vital preparatory ground for the next year’s ICC T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka Squads

ODI Squad: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, and Eshan Malinga

T20I Squad: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka (vice-captain), Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, and Eshan Malinga

Tri-Series T20I Tournament (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe)

17 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

19 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

23 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

25 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

29 November –Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

READ: Abbas Afridi equals Ravi Bopara’s record in Hong Kong Sixes

Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden were recalled to the England squad by manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

England, who secured qualification for next year’s tournament with two matches to spare, round off Group K with next Thursday’s match against Serbia at Wembley and a trip to Albania three days later.

Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham was left out of Tuchel’s squad for games in October, when the 22-year-old had just returned from shoulder surgery.

Manchester City forward Phil Foden is involved for the first time since Tuchel’s first camp in March.

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Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is the most eye-catching inclusion in the 25-man squad, with Nico O’Reilly and Jarell Quansah the other uncapped players involved.

There are recalls for Adam Wharton and Nick Pope, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Trafford and Ollie Watkins have dropped out.

Tuchel opted against recalling midfielder Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from Manchester City, while Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold also misses out.

England sealed their place at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States last month with a 5-0 victory over Latvia in Riga.

READ: Lyari Football Academy finish runners-up in SingaCup 2025 U16 Tournament

SINGAPORE: Pakistan’s Lyari Football Academy finished as runners-up in the SingaCup 2025 Under-16 category after a valiant performance in the final against Thailand’s Benjamarachanusorn School at The Arena, Woodleigh, on Friday.

The championship clash proved to be a thrilling contest, with Benjamarachanusorn School, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, clinching the title with a narrow 2–1 victory.

Kashif from Lyari Football Academy was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Earlier, Lyari Football Academy booked their spot in the final after edging past Indonesia’s Tapteng Sibolga Student Football Team 1–0 in a tense semi-final.

Their Thai opponents, meanwhile, had overpowered Pakistan’s Kareem Kerai Academy 5–0 in the other semi-final.

In the third-place playoff, Kareem Kerai Academy bounced back strongly to secure a podium finish.

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After a goalless draw in regular time against Indonesia’s Tapteng Sibolga Student Football Team, Kareem Kerai Academy held their nerve in the penalty shootout to win 4–3, ensuring Pakistan ended the tournament with two teams inside the top three.

Since its inception in 2011, the SingaCup has been recognised as Asia’s premier youth football tournament.

The 2025 edition featured around 160 teams from 13 countries, competing across five age categories: Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16.

READ: Rain plays spoilsport as India edge Pakistan in Hong Kong Sixes

MONG KOK: Rain robbed Pakistan of a potential comeback as India claimed a narrow two-run win via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method in a pulsating Hong Kong Sixes clash at the Mission Road Ground on Friday.

In pursuit of 87, Pakistan came out firing with Khawaja Nafay leading the charge.

The right-hander flicked Abhimanyu Mithun for four before launching two consecutive sixes to set the tone. With 18 runs coming off the opening over, Pakistan looked well in control of the chase.

However, Stuart Binny struck back in the following over after being hit for a six by Maaz Sadaqat, dismissing him for seven.

Despite the setback, Nafay kept Pakistan afloat, striking Shahbaz Nadeem for a boundary and a six in the third over to take his team to 41-1.

Just when momentum seemed to be shifting towards Pakistan, the rain arrived, halting play and ultimately deciding the contest.

At the time of interruption, India were ahead on the DLS calculations, sealing a two-run victory in a game that promised a thrilling finish.

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Earlier, India’s top order set a strong platform with Robin Uthappa and Bharat Chipli attacking from the start.

Uthappa struck two fours and three sixes in his 28 off 12 before falling to Mohammad Shahzad, who picked up two wickets in a fine over to peg India back.

Despite the flurry of wickets, skipper Dinesh Karthik’s quickfire cameo, highlighted by a towering six, helped India post a competitive 86-4 in their allotted overs.

Chipli contributed 24 off 13, while Shahzad was Pakistan’s standout bowler with two crucial strikes.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan began their Hong Kong Sixes campaign on a strong note as captain Abbas Afridi scored an impressive half-century to secure a thrilling victory over Kuwait.

Chasing a daunting 124 in six overs, Pakistan turned the contest into a power-hitting exhibition, thanks to Afridi’s brutal 55 off just 12 balls, a knock laced with one four and eight towering sixes.

READ: Abbas Afridi equals Ravi Bopara’s record in Hong Kong Sixes

Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi announced his arrival in style at the Hong Kong Sixes, smashing his way into the record books with a blistering knock against Kuwait at the Mission Road Ground on Friday.

The young all-rounder struck eight towering sixes in a breathtaking innings of 55 off just 12 deliveries, the second-most sixes ever hit in a single Hong Kong Sixes innings.

With that feat, Afridi joined an elite list that includes England’s Ravi Bopara, Bangladesh’s Jishan Alam, and Nepal’s Rashid Khan, all of whom have previously cleared the ropes eight times in one innings.

The record, however, still belongs to England’s Edward George Barnard, who hammered nine sixes against Oman in last year’s edition of the tournament.

Afridi’s explosive display proved decisive as Pakistan overhauled Kuwait’s 124-run target in a thrilling finish to begin their campaign on a winning note.

Chasing a daunting target in six overs, Pakistan turned the contest into a power-hitting exhibition, thanks to Abbas Afridi.

Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Shahzad gave Pakistan the early momentum, racing to 34-0 after two overs.

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Shahzad’s cameo of 14 off eight balls ended after he retired hurt, but the platform had been set for fireworks.

Abdul Samad’s early dismissal for a duck brought Afridi to the crease, and what followed was sheer carnage.

Abbas Afridi wasted no time announcing his intent, clearing the ropes with ease as Pakistan stormed to 95-1 by the end of the fifth over.

With 67 required off the last two overs, Afridi’s monstrous hitting, including consecutive sixes off Yasin Patel, turned the equation on its head.

He reached his fifty in just 11 balls before retiring hurt, leaving the finishing touches to Shahid Aziz, who smashed three consecutive sixes and a boundary in a rapid 23* off just five deliveries.

Nafay remained unbeaten on 25 off 11 as Pakistan crossed the finish line off the final delivery.

READ: Irfan Khan to lead Pakistan Shaheens in Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025

LAHORE: Right-handed batter Muhammad Irfan Khan has been appointed to captain the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 tournament, as confirmed by the country’s cricket board on Friday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad that will compete in the revamped ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 14 to 23.

Pakistan Shaheens are placed in Group ‘B’ alongside Oman, India ‘A’ and UAE, while Afghanistan ‘A’, Bangladesh ‘A’, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka ‘A’ are placed in Group ‘A’.

Pakistan will play their opening match of the T20 tournament against Oman on Friday, 14 November, before taking on India ‘A’ on Sunday, 16 November.

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Their final group match will be against the UAE on Tuesday, 18 November.

As per the tournament format, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held on 21 November. The final of the tournament will take place on Sunday, 23 November.

All matches will be staged at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha.

Before the team’s departure on 12 November, Pakistan Shaheens will undergo a training camp from 8 to 11 November at the Hanif Muhammad High Performance Centre in Karachi.

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Faiq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Shahzad, Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Sufiyan Moqim, Ubaid Shah and Yasir Khan.

READ: Abbas Afridi’s blitz propels Pakistan to victory over Kuwait in Hong Kong Sixes

Pakistan got off to a flying start in the Hong Kong Sixes as captain Abbas Afridi led from the front with a blistering half-century to seal a thrilling win over Kuwait at the Mission Road Ground on Friday.

Chasing a daunting 124 in six overs, Pakistan turned the contest into a power-hitting exhibition, thanks to Afridi’s brutal 55 off just 12 balls, a knock laced with one four and eight towering sixes.

Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Shahzad gave Pakistan the early momentum, racing to 34-0 after two overs.

Shahzad’s cameo of 14 off eight balls ended after he retired hurt, but the platform had been set for fireworks.

Abdul Samad’s early dismissal for a duck brought Afridi to the crease, and what followed was sheer carnage.

Abbas Afridi wasted no time announcing his intent, clearing the ropes with ease as Pakistan stormed to 95-1 by the end of the fifth over.

With 67 required off the last two overs, Afridi’s monstrous hitting, including consecutive sixes off Yasin Patel, turned the equation on its head.

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He reached his fifty in just 11 balls before retiring hurt, leaving the finishing touches to Shahid Aziz, who smashed three consecutive sixes and a boundary in a rapid 23* off just five deliveries.

Nafay remained unbeaten on 25 off 11 as Pakistan crossed the finish line off the final delivery.

Earlier, Kuwait had posted an imposing total of 123-2 in their six overs, powered by Meet Bhavsar’s explosive 41* off 14 balls and Usman Patel’s 31* off nine.

Despite Abbas Afridi’s early strike to remove Adnan Idrees, Kuwait’s middle order flourished, punishing anything loose.

Bilal Tahir’s six-ball 24 added to the damage as Kuwait found boundaries at will, particularly in the overs from Shahzad and Samad, which went for 31 and 22 runs respectively.

Maaz Sadaqat’s tidy spell of 1-13 was the lone bright spot in an otherwise expensive bowling effort.

READ: Pakistan’s Mohammad Irfan Jr suspended for ball tampering in Australia

Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan Jr has been suspended for five matches after being found guilty of ball tampering during a Victoria Premier Cricket fixture in Australia.

According to Australian media reports, match officials accused Irfan of deliberately altering the condition of the ball during a recent match.

Following an inquiry, a disciplinary tribunal upheld the umpires’ charge, confirming the sanction against the 6’6” right-arm pacer.

Irfan Jr, who relocated to Australia a few years ago, currently represents local clubs in domestic competitions.

Before moving abroad, he featured regularly in Pakistan’s domestic circuit and played for multiple franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

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The pacer made headlines in 2020 when he announced his decision to quit cricket in Pakistan at the age of 25, after being overlooked for Southern Punjab’s First XI selection.

Despite having participated in three PSL seasons for as many teams, Irfan was offered only a Second XI spot, a move that prompted his departure.

In his domestic career, Irfan Jr has taken 43 wickets in 35 T20 matches at an average of 22.04, along with 80 wickets in 22 first-class games at 23.65. In List A cricket, he has 38 wickets in 28 matches.

Known for his unorthodox bowling action and kabaddi-style wicket celebrations, Irfan was once considered one of Pakistan’s most promising emerging fast bowlers.

After leaving Pakistan, Irfan signed a long-term deal with the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club (WSDCC) in Sydney, intending to continue his cricketing journey in Australia.

READ: Shaheen Afridi eyes strong comeback in series decider

FAISALABAD: Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi lamented his side’s poor fielding and vowed to bounce back stronger in the series decider, scheduled to be played on Saturday.

South Africa chased down the 270-run target with ease in 40.1 overs, with Quinton De Kock and Tony de Zorzi starring for the Proteas.

Both left-handers batted briskly and threw Pakistan out of the game with an imperious 152-run partnership.

De Kock, in particular, returning to the ODI team nearly after two years, hit an unbeaten 123* off 119, studded with seven maximums.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, skipper Shaheen praised Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha for taking the team out of trouble.

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Pakistan were not only outplayed in bowling, but also in batting. The visitors had inflicted a poor start on them, reducing the hosts to 22-3 inside the first five overs. It was the 92-run partnership between Saim and Salman that launched the recovery for the home side.

“I think Saim and Agha did really well, and their partnership helped us. Firstly, losing three wickets, we thought 270 was a good score, but dropped catches cost us. We will come back strongly,” he said.

READ: De Kock’s 123* hands Pakistan a drubbing in second ODI