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MIRPUR: Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted his side failed to capitalize on key moments after a painful defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Bangladesh sealed a commanding 104-run win over Pakistan on the final day of the Test match, largely due to Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul. The speedster rattled Pakistan’s batting lineup in defense of 268, handing the home side a victory.

Speaking after the match, Shan lamented the outcome, noting that Pakistan could have pushed for a draw with two set batters at the crease.

“For us, it’s disappointing. I thought we were in the game with two set batters, and they could have batted longer to take the game towards a draw,” he said.

The skipper praised debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, with the former scoring a century on debut while the latter registered half-centuries in both innings.

“It’s always a silver lining to look at the bright side and see what went well in this game, and those two  [Azan, Abdullah] were exceptional. I thought about how they played in the first innings, particularly Azan was outstanding,” he added.

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Shan urged consistency from both batters, saying both batters will improve further with more Test cricket under their belts.

“When we picked them, we picked them seeing potential that they can play at this level. Their maturity was great. For them, the thing is can they be consistent in Test cricket? I think they have the potential to do that. When you get opportunities to stamp your authority we have to do that,” Shan explained.

“Abdullah did not know that he was playing till very late that night, before the Test match. Still, to go out there, play with maturity, be positive, and also be mindful of the situation. Once they start playing more Test cricket, they will be more better at decision making.”

Regarding the decision to bowl first, Shan said Pakistan made good use of the pristine bowling conditions but failed to capitalize afterward.

“We looked at the conditions and in terms of seam bowling we had the best conditions. We got two early wickets. But in the first innings we didn’t capitalise on that and then we didn’t capitalise with the bat either. We could have pushed for more runs. But in the first innings, with bat and ball, we needed to do better,” he said.

“You can never question the effort, especially when you are playing Test cricket after six months. Test cricket on surfaces like this teaches you that when you have the game in your hands you have to push the opposition away, but we failed to do that,” Shan concluded.

READ: Pakistan set unwanted Test record after defeat to Bangladesh

Arne Slot said even three wins from Liverpool’s final three Premier League games would not silence the critics after their shocking title defence as he focused on wrapping up Champions League qualification.

The Reds, fourth in the table and close to securing a place in Europe’s top club competition next season, host Chelsea on Saturday before finishing the season with matches against Aston Villa and Brentford.

Liverpool started the campaign with five straight league wins after a huge financial outlay but collapsed from late September onwards and will end the season without silverware.

“Even if we have three wins and three very positive results I don’t think everyone will still be positive about how we ended the season and how the season has been,” Slot said Friday.

“It’s important that we, as I’ve said now so many times, get at least one win over the line, which we think is enough to qualify (for the Champions League). We’re not sure, because four points makes it completely clear.”

The Dutchman said the season had been tough for his team, who celebrated a record-equalling 20th English title last season.

“It always weighs heavy on the players if you lose more games than you would want, especially at a club like this, because these players are used to winning,” he said.

“So the moment they start to lose, that’s never a nice feeling to have, especially not if you play for this club.

“Underperformance, clearly, clearly, clearly, in the Premier League. We didn’t pick up the points we should have picked up.

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“Also, if you look performance-wise. Again, I’m not saying we had a very good season in the Premier League, but we’ve played better and deserved more points than we have.”

Slot played down fears that next season could be another campaign of major transition, with senior players Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson among those leaving the club.

“I think as a manager you’re never worried, you just look forward to starting working with a group of players,” he said.

“Indeed, it will be another little transition, probably not as drastic as it was last summer, but we have to change a bit of personnel because of the two players that are leaving, where one of them will probably be replaced with Kostas Tsimikas, because he’s coming back from a loan.

“So no, I’m only looking forward to start again next season, but that’s not my main aim at the moment. My main aim at the moment is getting over the line in the upcoming three games and then go on holiday.”

Forward Alexander Isak and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili are back in training and in contention to face Chelsea at Anfield.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Salah have not yet resumed sessions with the team and are unavailable.

READ: Pep Guardiola wants Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal

Virgil van Dijk hit back at Liverpool’s holiday claim after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United dented their Champions League qualification push.

The Reds’ loss against their bitter rivals on Sunday left them in fourth place in the Premier League.

Arne Slot’s side, crowned champions 12 months ago, have mounted a dismal title defence, forcing them to settle for fighting to reach next season’s Champions League.

After their 18th defeat in all competitions this term, Liverpool still need four points from their remaining three games to seal a place in Europe’s elite club competition via a top five finish.

Slot was without star forwards Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, as well as two goalkeepers, through injury against United.

But Liverpool captain Van Dijk conceded fitness issues could not be used as an excuse for such a turbulent campaign.

“I’m not here to make excuses. It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season for us, and it’s tough,” he said.

“We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to work, we have to turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen because it’s not Liverpool.”

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Van Dijk hit back at criticism of Liverpool players’ use of their free time after several were pictured abroad before the United game.

“I’m not sure it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip,” the Dutch defender said.

“But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult.”

Put to him that some critics believes the team has too much time off, Van Dijk said: “Really? I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways.

“You see Pep Guardiola giving (Manchester City) three days off, for example, the last weeks in a row and they are doing pretty well. It is finding the right balance.”

Slot is under fire for failing to keep Liverpool in the title race in a season that will end without silverware.

And Van Dijk, who has won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield, is determined to ensure Liverpool don’t endure a repeat of their frustrating form next season.

“Like anyone else, obviously, personally I want this to be solved. I want us to be what I’ve experienced over my time here. I want to be successful,” he said.

“Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job, in anything you do, but it is the best way to get results and also be successful. That’s what we have to try and find.

“We have to realise that next season we can’t repeat (this). It’s unacceptable.”

READ: Sameer Minhas leads PSL 11 Emerging Team of the Tournament

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Head to Head

Both teams have played only once, as Kingsmen are playing their maiden season. Peshawar Zalmi won the first encounter by four wickets.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen XI: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Sufyan Moqim, Basit Ali, Nahid Rana

READ: Babar Azam responds to Hafeez’s ‘advertised superstars’ remark

Indian steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal and family, alongside vaccine billionaire Adar Poonawalla, have struck a $1.65 billion deal for Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals, a joint statement said on Sunday.

The IPL is the world’s richest cricket tournament and mixes sport and show business in a glitzy format. It is broadcast around the world and features top international stars, with some teams fronted by Bollywood superstars.

The Mittal family will own about 75 percent of the franchise following completion, with Poonawalla holding around 18 percent, the statement said.

The remainder will stay with approved existing investors, including seller Manoj Badale.

As well as the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals also owns Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean.

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“The transaction consideration is approximately $1.65 billion and represents the enterprise value of Rajasthan Royals’ men’s franchise, Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals,” the statement said.

Rajasthan have not won a trophy since 2008, when late Australian great Shane Warne led them to the inaugural title.

“I love cricket and my family is from Rajasthan, so there is no IPL team that I would rather be part of than the Rajasthan Royals,” Mittal said in a statement.

Poonawalla said he looked forward to supporting the franchise’s long-term growth.

“Rajasthan Royals is a premier IPL franchise with a strong legacy,” he said.

Badale, who has been involved with the Royals since their inception, will remain a shareholder and join the board alongside the new investors.

“We are delighted to welcome the Mittal Family and Adar Poonawalla as the new owners of the Rajasthan Royals,” he said.

“Their passion for cricket, their connection to Rajasthan and India, and their long-term ambition for the franchise make them ideal custodians.”

The announcement comes after a group of investors, including US asset management giant Blackstone, bought reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.77 billion in March.

The IPL is a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India and was estimated in 2020 to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.

READ: Sajid Khan highlights lack of T20 opportunities from Peshawar region

LAHORE: The tickets for the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen have been sold out, the league’s social media handle confirmed on Sunday.

The announcement on social media confirmed a full house ahead of the summit clash.

“SOLD OUT Zinda dilana Lahoriyon — it’s a house full for the Grand Finale,” the post caption read.

The final will be contested between the 2017 champions, Peshawar Zalmi, and the tournament debutants, Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Babar Azam’s Zalmi secured a spot in the final by defeating Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier. Meanwhile, Kingsmen, who finished fourth in the league stage, upset Multan Sultans and the three-time champions in the Eliminators to reach the final.

These teams previously faced off during the league, where Zalmi narrowly won a tense match by four wickets on the last ball.

This marks Zalmi’s fifth PSL final appearance under Babar Azam, and Kingsmen’s debut season ended with a historic run to the final. In their last game, Hyderabad Kingsmen were bowled out for 145 in 18.2 overs, with Kusal Perera top-scoring at 58 off 35 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Captain Marnus Labuschagne scored 27 from 27 balls.

Squads:

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain

READ: Sajid Khan highlights lack of T20 opportunities from Peshawar region

KARACHI: Pakistan spin duo Sajid Khan and Noman Ali weaved spin magic on day four of the national team’s preparatory camp held at the National Bank Stadium ahead of the Bangladesh Tests. 

On the fourth day of the training camp, Pakistan players took part in a scenario-based match at the Oval Ground, where batters and bowlers fine-tuned their preparations.

During the morning session, Mohamamd Abbas and Hasan Ali bowled a couple of overs in hot conditions. The latter went off the field after delivering the first ball of his fourth over.

Among the batters, Ghazi Ghouri remained the top-scorer with 31 runs before being retired out.

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In bowling, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan picked up two wickets each.

Meanwhile, after enduring the heat during the scenario match, vice-captain Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were seen in the nets practicing alongside batting coach Asad Shafiq.

The training camp will continue until tommorow, after which the team will depart for Bangladesh.

Ace batter Babar Azam and fast bowler Khurram Shehzad will join the squad after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, with their team, Peshawar Zalmi, set to feature in the final.

For the unversed, the first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Series

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

READ: Umar Gul reveals fast bowlers plan for Bangladesh Tests

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer has confirmed that preparations for the league’s closing ceremony are underway.

Salman provided the update in an interview on PCB Digital, urging fans to arrive at the earliest possible.

“We will ask fans to arrive at the stadium by 6:30pm for the final,” Salman Naseer said.

He hailed passionate fans who turned in large numbers during the qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United.

“The passion and enthusiasm of the fans during the qualifier in Karachi was very encouraging. At one point during the Karachi qualifier, we had to close the gates due to the huge crowd,” he observed.

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It is worth mentioning that PSL 11 started without spectators due to government-imposed restrictions aimed at conserving resources amid a broader fuel crisis. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved public attendance for all three playoff matches of the tournament.

For the unversed, PSL 11 is nearing its conclusion, with the Eliminator 2 between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United.

Kingsmen booked their spot with a win over Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1, while Islamabad United enteer the clash after a defeat to Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier.

Peshawar Zalmi have already advanced to the final and will meet the winner of Eliminator 2 in Sunday’s title decider.

READ: Hansi Flick happy for Raphinha return with title in sight

LAHORE: Former South Africa batter JP Duminy has wrapped up his commentary stint ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Eliminator 2 and final. 

Duminy shared a reflective video montage on Instagram, thanking Pakistan for its hospitality, praising the quality of cricket, and appreciating the chance to work with experienced professionals during the tournament.

He also commended the return of fans to stadiums, noting the lively atmosphere they created.

“Appreciation Pakistan, thank you for the love and hospitality. PSL 11 has seen great cricket and continues to do so. Great to see the crowds back. I truly get to work with some amazing people. Thanks for the love. Till next time,” Duminy wrote.

 

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A post shared by JP Duminy (@jpduminy)

This marks Duminy’s second period as part of the PSL broadcast team, having previously appeared in the 10th edition, where he offered analysis throughout the season.

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Besides his role as a commentator, the 42-year-old also has a playing background in the league. He played in PSL 3 for Islamabad United, participating in 10 matches and scoring 251 runs at a strike rate of 100.80, with two half-centuries.

Additionally, he captained the team in the final against Peshawar Zalmi, leading them to their second PSL title.

The Eliminator 2 of the league will be played between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United tommorow at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Kingsmen advanced by defeating Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1, whereas Islamabad United suffered a 70-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier.

The winner of Eliminator 2 will play Peshawar Zalmi in the final on May 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: Richard Gleeson confident ahead of Hyderabad Kingsmen knockout clash

Marathon world record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a customized number plate and a whopping cash prize from the president of Kenya.

Sawe created history with a record run, winning the London Marathon in 1:59:30, shattering the previous benchmark of 2:00:35 set by his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum.

Following his achievement, the 31-year-old received a hero’s welcome at home and was honored by President William Ruto at the Statehouse in Nairobi on Thursday.

The 31-year-old received a hero’s welcome at home and was honored by President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on Thursday.

He was offered Ksh5 million, a reward for Kenyan athletes who break a world record, and an extra Ksh3 million for a gold medal, taking his tally to Ksh8 million from the government.

In addition to this, the President also gifted him a car with a customized number plate reading ‘01 59 30’, highlighting his remarkable achievement.

Moreover, the runner gifted the President a pair of Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 supershoes, which he used to break the historic marathon record.

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William Ruto praised Sebastian Sawe, saying his record is a testament to Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running.

“What Sabastian Sawe has done by running a marathon under two hours confirms Kenya’s place as the origin of wonder,” President Ruto said during the ceremony.

“If you are looking for the origin of wonder, it is right here, as we witnessed Sabastian Sawe make history and create new wonder for the world,” he added.

For the unversed, Kenya has dominated long-distance running, and its runners are superstars in the country. However, the pressure to break into the elite means that doping is a major problem in Kenya.

Two former Kenyan winners of the men’s race at the London Marathon, Wilson Kipsang, the victor in 2012 and 2014, and 2017 winner Daniel Wanjiru, are among those to have been subsequently banned.

In a bid to allay such suspicions about his own performances, Sawe has voluntarily subjected himself to extra drug testing, even paying $50,000 to be tested 25 times in the year by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) before last year’s Berlin race.

READ: Kobbie Mainoo signs new contract with Manchester United