All posts by h79snht.top

عزز فريق ريال مدريد تقدمه بهدف ثالث ورابع في مباراته الجارية حاليًا ضد سيلتا فيجو، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثامنة والعشرين من الليجا، موسم 2023/24، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وسجل كارلوس كاسيريس هدفًا عكسيًا في مرمى فريقه سيلتا فيجو بحلول الدقيقة 88 من عمر الشوط الثاني، لتصبح النتيجة 3-0.

وتمكن أردا جولر من تسجيل الهدف الرابع لفريق ريال مدريد بحلول الدقيقة 94، بعدما تلقى تمريرة حاسمة من داني سيبايوس.

وكان ريال مدريد متقدمًا بهدفين نظيفين، حيث أحرز فينيسيوس جونيور هدف التقدم في الدقيقة 21 من عمر الشوط الأول، وبحلول الدقيقة 79، سجل جويتا هدفًا عكسيًا في مرمى فريقه سيلتا فيجو. هدف ريال مدريد الثالث في مرمي سيلتا فيجو بالدوري الاسباني

هدف اردا جولر الرائع في مرمي سيلتا فيجو بالدوري الاسباني

An update has emerged on Manchester United's plans to add a new number nine to their squad ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign…

What's the latest on Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United?

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are in the market for a 'marquee' addition to their forward options and Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is one of the names on their list of targets.

The report claims that the Denmark international would be one of the cheaper options available to them as the Serie A outfit are looking for a fee in the region of £60m to part ways with him.

It states that the 20-year-old centre-forward 'wowed' United's scouts in the season just gone, although they do not believe him to be on the same level as the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, and Randal Kolo Muani at this moment in time.

Where would Rasmus Hojlund fit in at Manchester United?

United boss Erik ten Hag could line up with the Danish marksman as his number nine and play England international Marcus Rashford out on the left flank, with Antony potentially completing the attacking trident on the right.

Hojlund is not a player who should be expected to hit the ground running as Erling Haaland did for Manchester City as the Norwegian finisher broke the Premier League record for the most goals in a single season.

However, the talented youngster would be a long-term addition.

At the age of 20, the striker could improve and develop with experience while also working with ten Hag on the training pitch to become a lethal no.9 who could also make Rashford unstoppable.

The current United star plundered an exceptional 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 outings in all competitions for the club last season, with 17 of those strikes coming in the league – no other player managed more than eight.

Rashford was the obvious threat for opposition teams to look out for, with more than twice as many league goals as any other forward in the squad, and Holjund's arrival could provide defences with another player to focus on, which could open up more space for the English hotshot to thrive in the final third.

The Atalanta dynamo scored nine goals in just 20 Serie A starts in 2022/23 while he has also found the back of the net six times in four European Championship qualifying matches for his country.

This means that the £11k-per-week gem scored more league goals than every United player other than Rashford last term, despite only starting 20 games, which is why he could be an exceptional addition to ten Hag's squad for now and in the future.

The exciting young talent, who was once hailed as "remarkable" by manager Gian Piero Gasperini, has showcased his potential as a goalscorer and his goal threat could force opposing teams to place an emphasis on marking him out of the game.

This, in turn, this could free some of the shackles from Rashford to provide the 25-year-old phenomenon with fewer obstacles between him and the goal as the defenders would have to worry about Holjund's quality as well as his.

Parthiv Patel scored 143 and steered Gujarat through a chase of 312 to lead them to their maiden Ranji Trophy title

The Report by Shashank Kishore in Indore14-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:42

Kishore: Parthiv impeccable in tense chase

In December 2015, Parthiv Patel struck his maiden List A century to steer Gujarat to their first domestic 50-over championship win. Just over a year later, he was at the forefront of yet another title triumph with an innings that was physically and mentally more demanding than any other he has played in recent memory.Having kept wicket for 221 overs across two innings and over three days and made a combative 90 that gave Gujarat the first-innings lead, he steered a fourth-innings chase of 312 with a remarkable 143. His 25th first-class ton helped Gujarat clinch the Ranji Trophy for the first time in the very city where they lost to Holkar in their only previous final, 66 years ago.In doing so, with five wickets in hand – a proposition that had looked unlikely when they lost three early wickets on the final day against a fired-up Mumbai gunning for their 42nd title – Gujarat also achieved the highest-successful finals chase in the tournament’s 83-year history. They eclipsed Hyderabad, who had chased down 310 against Nawanagar in 1937-38.Parthiv’s 143 took Gujarat to within 13 runs of victory and will deservedly hog the headlines, but Manprit Juneja’s 54 was no less important. When he walked in, Gujarat were 89 for 3. Mumbai were ascendant, the runs weren’t quite flowing, and there was a stillness to proceedings. Balwinder Sandhu, who was expensive on the fourth evening, returned rejuvenated and was getting the ball to jag back in sharply.During the course of the next two hours, Parthiv and Juneja didn’t just rebuild the innings but also went into overdrive. By the time Juneja was dismissed, getting a faint under-edge to a sweep off Akhil Herwadkar, the 116-run fourth-wicket stand had wrested the momentum back in Gujarat’s favour.Another wicket at that stage may have turned things around. But Aditya Tare dropped Rujul Bhatt on 1 off Shardul Thakur, starting to celebrate before completing the catch cleanly. It had a deflating effect on Mumbai. Parthiv and Bhatt then added 94 to all but seal Gujarat’s full set of national titles, achieved across three successive seasons. The wining moment came off Thakur, Chirag Gandhi hitting him for two successive fours to trigger wild celebrations.The match could have been much closer than it eventually panned out. Gujarat lost Priyank Panchal, the season’s highest run-getter, in the second over of the day when he was pouched in the slips. Bhargav Merai was bowled shouldering arms to Sandhu, and Samit Gohel was caught behind off Abhishek Nayar in debatable circumstances. Gujarat were tottering. Mumbai were masters of controlling these kinds of situations – they had been in 11 finals and won each one of them since their last runners-up finish in 1990-91.Despite the loss in the final, Mumbai would be pleased with the advent of young players like Prithvi Shaw•PTI

Parthiv and Juneja had to contend with plenty of chirp from the slip cordon. Mumbai had been visibly unhappy at Gujarat’s delaying tactics on day four. On a number of occasions, the umpires had to intervene to get Gujarat moving. In the end, they were 14 overs short when Mumbai’s innings closed. Particularly keen on letting his displeasure be known to Gujarat was Shreyas Iyer, who a couple of days ago admitted to “being bored” with Gujarat’s approach.The umpires intervened again, this time to cool things down and let the game take its course. Parthiv, sensing an opportunity to score, took on Sandhu, who until then had bowled a superb first spell that read 7-2-20-2. Six boundaries came off the five overs that immediately followed the fall of the third wicket, among which were successive fours for Parthiv off Sandhu, a slap through cover followed by an imperious drive past mid-off. Juneja didn’t hold back either, driving and flicking his way to four boundaries in the same period.On one hand, Tare had to contend with the frustration of the partnership. On the other was the dilemma of whether or not to keep attacking and risk conceding more boundaries. Nayar, who has time and again delivered in crises, eased his mind from one end, bowling in the corridor and troubling Juneja with balls that deviated away. But by then, both batsmen were in control.In a bid to mix things up, Tare brought in the left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil. Juneja peppered the cover boundary by driving him inside-out from the rough, from where there wasn’t much help. Parthiv used his feet to get to the pitch and milk runs. Gujarat had reached base camp. The century stand had come in little over two hours.But as is the case with most high-pressure clashes, there was a twist. Juneja relaxed just a wee bit against Akhil Herwadkar’s part-time offspin, and Tare gave him an angry send-off while the other Mumbai players gestured towards the dressing room.There was life in the contest, and plenty of needle as well. But Parthiv wasn’t perturbed. He stepped across and whipped Sandhu for three fours off his next over to enter the 90s. Mumbai took the second new ball in the 82nd over. Given Gujarat’s rate of scoring, this had to be the last roll of the dice.Parthiv inside-edged Thakur to the fine leg boundary, the ball nearly shaving leg stump. Then came a confident lbw appeal off an indipper. It wasn’t given out, but replays suggested it was much closer than it had initially looked. It was a slice of luck for Parthiv, but a man who had played a knock of this magnitude deserved some.

أوضح الفرنسي كريم بنزيما مهاجم الاتحاد السعودي، موقفه من المشاركة مع منتخب بلده في أولمبياد باريس 2024، الصيف المقبل.

ويحق للمنتخبات المشاركة، استدعاء ثلاثة لاعبين تزيد أعمارهم عن 23 عامًا، إلى قائمة الفريق المشاركة في أولمبياد باريس 2024.

وصرح بنزيما لصحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية، أنه لا يستبعد مكانًا مع منتخب فرنسا تحت قيادة تييري هنري، في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية الصيف المقبل.

واعترف بنزيما برغبته في المشاركة في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية، قائلاً: “لماذا لا؟ بالطبع سيكون الأمر رائعا”.

ورحل بنزيما عن منتخب فرنسا بعد غيابه عن بطولة كأس العالم قطر 2022 بسبب الإصابة.

وسبق وأعرب هنري بالفعل عن رغبته في أن يكون قادرًا على الاعتماد على الثلاثي كيليان مبابي وأنطوان جريزمان وجيرو كلاعبين فوق 23 عامًا في ألعاب باريس.

وتشير التقارير إلى إمكانية عدم الاعتماد على مبابي بسبب احتمالية انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد، وجريزمان لا ينوي أتلتيكو مدريد السماح بمشاركته.

وأجريت قرعة أولمبياد باريس 2024 أمس الأربعاء، ويقع المنتخب الفرنسي في المجموعة الأولى التي تضم نيوزيلاندا، أمريكا، والفائز من المباراة التي تقام بين رابع بطولة كأس آسيا ضد غينيا. 

Liverpool are 'in the background' as they prepare to step up their pursuit to land Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news involving Romeo Lavia?

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are readying an initial offer to try and sign Lavia from Southampton this window and have surpassed Chelsea in the race to sign the £50 million-rated youngster.

Manchester City, Arsenal and the aforementioned Chelsea have also been linked with a swoop for the Belgium international, who impressed last term in the Premier League despite Southampton being relegated to the Sky Bet Championship.

Fabrizio Romano reported back in March that Manchester City have a buyback clause for Lavia that is believed to be set at around £40 million; nevertheless, this option isn't due to activate until the summer of 2024, enabling other suitors to steal a march on the Premier League title holders.

Football Insider revealed last month that even though Liverpool are keen to land Lavia, they do not want to be dragged into a protracted bidding war for his services as Jurgen Klopp steps up his midfield revolution.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have joined the Reds from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig, respectively. At the same time, more additions to the engine room may arise ahead of this season commencing.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that Liverpool's pursuit of Lavia could come to the forefront of the Reds' transfer dealings in the near future.

Jones said: "Liverpool are in the background, too, so it's going to be an interesting one. It's one that hasn't really taken centre stage yet, but it's going to soon. I think once that Declan Rice one is out the way, the race for Lavia will really heat up."

Would Romeo Lavia be a good signing for Liverpool?

Lavia is a talented young player who could help refresh Klopp's engine room by adding further depth and potential alongside a protective element in front of the back four for Liverpool.

Last season, the 19-year-old made 35 appearances in all competitions for Southampton, registering one goal and one assist, as per Transfermarkt.

In the Premier League, Lavia also showed commendable maturity for his age and retained a pass success rate of 86.7% for a side that finished bottom of the pile, as per WhoScored.

As per FBRef, the Belgian also excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of blocks, making 1.90 per 90 minutes encompassing the last 365 days.

Learning from experienced figures such as Fabinho and Jordan Henderson may also be an enticing factor for Lavia to consider as he looks to fulfil his significant potential.

Liverpool may be the ideal destination for the 19-year-old to take the next step in his career following an encouraging campaign at Southampton.

Khaya Zondo will replace the 37-year old van Wyk who intends to play on for ‘another two or three seasons’

Firdose Moonda14-Feb-2017

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk has stepped down as captain of the Dolphins franchise, making way for middle-order batsman Khaya Zondo to take over. Van Wyk will continue playing for the franchise, who have recently had to say goodbye to senior batsman Daryn Smit, who is relocating to the UK.Van Wyk took over at the Dolphins in the 2013-14 summer, when he moved to Durban from Bloemfontein. He led them to their first standalone cup of the franchise era, when they won the domestic T20 competition that season but has also overseen a period of transition which started when Lance Klusener’s contract was not renewed last year. Klusener’s departure also saw Dolphins lose two of their premier international players. Kyle Abbott moved to Warriors – and has since gone Kolpak – while David Miller went to Knights, as Dolphins began this season with a depleted squad and a new coach in Grant Morgan.They have not had any real success – finishing fifth in the T20 challenge and fourth in the first-class competition – but several players are putting in strong individual performances. Keshav Maharaj has earned promotion to South Africa’s Test squad, and Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Zondo were second and third on the first-class batting charts. With one competition, the domestic one-day cup, still to come, they have high hopes of changing their fortunes.Van Wyk believes they have what it takes to win trophies, especially under a new leader. “I have been so privileged to captain the side for four years. I have seen some tremendous growth from players on and off the field over the past four seasons and I think that the timing is right,” he said. “Khaya has really come into his own and taken on the responsibility that he has been given this season well and I am excited to see him grow as a leader.”Zondo captained the Dolphins in their last two first-class matches of the season, something van Wyk said has been brewing since he joined the franchise. “I spoke to Khaya about the captaincy just four months after I arrived here so it is something that I think has been in the making for a number of years,” he said. It’s not a surprise then that van Wyk has offered Zondo his full support.”I am hopefully going to be around for another two or three seasons so I am here to offer Khaya support and guidance if he needs it,” van Wyk said. “I’m not going to be looking over his shoulder all the time, in fact I am actually going to take a step back. If he needs advice I will be a shoulder to lean on but it’s his ship to run now.”

تمكن فريق الاتحاد من تحقيق الفوز على نظيره الفتح بنتيجة 4-2، خلال المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري السعودي.

والتقى الاتحاد مع الفتح، على أرضية ملعب عبد الله بن جلوي بالأحساء، في إطار الجولة الـ24 من عمر مباريات دوري روشن.

وشهدت المباراة مشاركة المدافع الدولي المصري أحمد حجازي أساسيًا رفقة الاتحاد السعودي.

وتقدم سالم النجدي بالهدف الأول للفتح في الدقيقة 6، بعد كرة عرضية بقدم سعيد خالد باعطيه لداخل منطقة الجزاء استقبلها النجدي برأسية قوية سكنت الشباك.

طالع أيضاً.. الاتحاد السعودي يستعين بـ سنغالي لرفع لياقة الحكام

وفي الدقيقة 39 من عمر الشوط الأول سجل عبد الرزاق حمد الله هدف التعادل للاتحاد من ركلة جزاء تم احتسابها بداعي وجود خطأ على عمار الدحيم مدافع الفتح ضد جوتا.

وأحرز فيليبي جوتا الهدف الثاني للاتحاد في الدقيقة 45+5، بعد تمريرة رائعة من كانتي داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وأضاف أحمد الغامدي الهدف الثالث للاتحاد في الدقيقة 64، من تصويبة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء.

وبعد مرور دقيقتين سجل سعد الشرفاء الهدف الثاني للفتح، بعد تمريرة من مروان سعدان سددها الشرفاء مباشرة في مرمى الاتحاد.

وفي الدقيقة 74 سجل عبد الرزاق حمد الله الهدف الرابع للاتحاد والثاني له بعد كرة عرضية من أحمد الغامدي استقبلها برأسية لداخل المرمى.

بهذا الفوز يحتل الاتحاد المركز الرابع في جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي برصيد 43 نقطة، بينما يأتي الفتح في المركز التاسع، ولديه 31 نقطة. أهداف مباراة الاتحاد والفتح اليوم في الدوري السعودي

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to Ligue 1 ace Elye Wahi, as Julen Lopetegui prepares for a busy summer at Molineux.

The Spaniard will have to make his improvements this transfer window on a budget, as Wolves face battles with Financial Fair Play (FFP), however, the task remains that significant reinforcements are required at the Midlands club.

The Old Gold have had their transfer window so far dominated by the lucrative departure of Ruben Neves who departed for Al-Hilal for £47m, although incomings have been speculated too, with the latest coming from France.

As reported by journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter, Wolves are interested in Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, stating that the interest is ‘real’ with Jorge Mendes mentioned as having a ‘hand on the file’ of the player.

Earlier this summer, Foot Mercato reported that the French outfit valued the striker in the region of €35m (£30m), making him a player slightly out of Wolves’ budget if a compromise cannot be made.

What could Elye Wahi offer to Wolves?

If there’s one area that Lopetegui must bolster this summer, it’s the most advanced position of attack.

Wolves ended the season as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers, netting just 31 goals in 38 games in a dismal campaign in the final third.

To put into perspective how much of a boost Wahi could present to Molineux, the 20-year-old scored just 12 goals fewer than the entire Wolves side in five fewer appearances in the league, scoring 19 in Ligue 1.

The Old Gold’s previous high-scoring talisman has phased out, with Raul Jimenez suffering a career-altering injury back in 2020 in which he fractured his skull, leaving him sidelined for a long stretch of time.

The Mexican failed to score in the Premier League last campaign, subsequently damaging Wolves’ overall form and making it blatantly obvious their need for a striker this summer.

Hailed as being “so powerful” by ex-Caen academy director Francis de Taddeo, Wahi could solve Lopetegui’s woes in the final third, and at just 20 years old, the striker could benefit the club for years to come.

With 1.9 total shots and 1.2 shots on target per game in Ligue 1 last season, the Frenchman is the clinical striker Wolves require to amend their form in front of goal. For context, no one at Molineux throughout 2022/23 could better those numbers.

While his 19 goals were impressive, the youngster also registered five assists, averaging 0.7 key passes per game and created seven big chances to flex his ability in attack, as per Sofascore.

Likened to Newcastle United’s 18-goal sensation Callum Wilson by FBref, Wahi would be a significant upgrade on Jimenez, not just for his efforts in dispatching the ball into the net.

When comparing the seasons of both the Wolves forward and Montpellier’s hitman via FBref, the Frenchman is a lively presence in attack as highlighted by his 2.04 progressive carries and 1.04 successful take-ons per 90.

Jimenez registered just 0.53 progressive carries and successful take-ons last term, showing just how much of a presence the 20-year-old could provide Lopetegui with.

The deal will ultimately come down to whether or not the Old Gold can raise the funds to pry the striker away from Montpellier, where he is contracted until 2025, but it would certainly be worth their time and energy trying to conclude a move.

Imran Tahir has said it is ‘very special’ to be ranked the No. 1 bowler in both ODI and T20 cricket

Andrew McGlashan16-Feb-20170:45

Tahir tops ODI rankings for bowlers for the third time

Imran Tahir has said it is “very special” to be ranked the No. 1 bowler in both ODI and T20 cricket. He completed the double when he went top of the one-day table after South Africa’s 5-0 victory over Sri Lanka where he claimed 10 wickets.Tahir began that series with a Man-of-the-Match performance of 3 for 26 at Port Elizabeth and only in the high-scoring Cape Town match, where Sri Lanka replied with 327 to South Africa’s 367, was he punished as he conceded 76 off his 10 overs. Even then he claimed two wickets to snuff out Sri Lanka’s brave chase.It’s that skill of taking wickets, alongside his control, that makes him such a valuable asset to South Africa’s white-ball sides. In recent times he has rarely failed to deliver a breakthrough for his captain – whether that is Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers or Farhaan Behardien – and his last wicketless ODI was 10 games ago. He has been integral to South Africa’s winning run which stands at 11 ODIs.Tahir was twice previously ranked No. 1 in ODIs, when he briefly held the top spot during the 2015 World Cup before being leapfrogged at the end of the tournament by Mitchell Starc, then again in October 2015, and there is a chance of a bowl-off for the position in this series against New Zealand with Trent Boult, the No. 2-ranked bowler.”When I started cricket I never thought I’d be No. 1 bowler, it’s all the hard work I’ve done and I’m very excited,” Tahir said. “There are a lot of good players in world cricket and coming top of that is a really good achievement and I’m really grateful.”It’s an absolute honour playing for South Africa, the boys have helped me over the years and made me the bowler I am today. Credit goes to them as well. I’ll try and stay in the spot as long as I can but there are some other brilliant cricketers.”Tahir has not been able to produce the same success at Test level. His 20 appearances, the last of which came against India in Delhi, have brought 57 wickets at 40.24 and South Africa have moved on from him in that format.However, with the white ball he has certainly grown older gracefully. “He doesn’t bowl bad balls anymore,” AB de Villiers said last month. “He always used to take wickets but now you don’t see bad balls, which makes him really difficult to play.”When Tahir was asked what advice he would give Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand legspinner he could go up against over the next few weeks, he gave an insight into what had made him such a successful bowler.”If I was him I’d work harder, I’m not saying he isn’t but that’s my advice because when I started like him I didn’t know my game or use my variations,” Tahir said. “I just bowled leggies, but then I worked hard to try to find how what would work for me in international cricket. Coming from South Africa is not easy because the pitches aren’t spin-friendly, so I had to work out how to adjust.”They are skills that will serve him well in New Zealand, too, where – as Sodhi could no doubt attest to – conditions are not what legspinners dream of. Tahir has previously played three ODIs against the hosts in the country, the most recent of them the 2015 World Cup semi-final where he was wicketless but conceded just 40 in nine overs in the high-scoring contest, and New Zealand are aware of the impact he could have.”He’s a great operator for South Africa, and any team he plays for,” Kane Williamson said. “We’ve played a lot against each other. It’s important we play him well.”A few batting line-ups of late have found that easier said than done.

The Bangladesh coach has said he “got everything he asked for” from the BCB during his coaching stint

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Mar-2017

Coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said he would like to leave Bangladesh in the position Sri Lanka had been in 1996, and that he would happily work with Sri Lanka after his present contract ends in 2019.The mid-1990s were effectively Sri Lanka’s coming of age in international cricket. In addition to winning the 1996 World Cup, they also began to produce players who achieved world renown – such as Aravinda de Silva, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka also soon established themselves in Test cricket, beating most oppositions who toured the island.Bangladesh have recently made gains under Hathurusingha, winning a Test against England last year, and running impressive campaigns during 2016’s Asia Cup and the 2015 World Cup. They also qualified for the 2017 Champions Trophy, having missed out in 2009 and 2013.”In 2019, I want to bring the Bangladesh team to where Sri Lanka were in 1996,” Hathurusingha told . “That’s my target. Whatever happens, I’m not going to ask to stay with Bangladesh forever. I will also not resign. The only reason for leaving is if I’m not allowed to do what I want to do, but there’s no such situation at present.”Hathurusingha was complimentary of his dealings with the BCB, saying he had “got everything he asked for”, including a place on the selection committee and broad influence over the team’s development. However, he suggested that he harboured hopes of working with Sri Lanka in future, having made himself available to them before he took the job with Bangladesh, as well.”I will absolutely come [if SLC asks me to],” he said. “I am in this position today because of all the things I learned playing cricket in Sri Lanka. After I learned everything in Sri Lanka for about 20 years, I went to Australia and learned things there as well. But if Sri Lanka invites me at any time, I will happily come back to do something for the country.”Hathurusingha said Sri Lanka’s school cricket system remained much stronger than that of Bangladesh, but was less impressed with Sri Lanka’s senior cricket structure. He joined the chorus of former players lamenting the excessive number of teams in Sri Lanka’s first-class cricket. Twenty-three first-class teams competed in the recently-concluded Premier League tournament, though nine of those sides played in the second tier league.”If there are 22 or 23 first-class sides in Sri Lanka, then that’s definitely not good,” he said. “With the way that Sri Lanka is, I think there should be about 12 or 14 sides. But because school cricket is good here, players are still produced.”In Bangladesh, there is a four-day tournament, a one-day tournament with about eight teams, and their BPL T20 tournament. Because of that, the good players become highlighted. In the last two years, I changed a lot of things in their club cricket, including their pitches.”