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Karachi Blues’ fine start to their National Junior (Under-19) Grade-I Cricket Championship match against Islamabad was spoilt by heavy afternoon rain as they were stopped in their tracks at 146 for one on the first day of this three-day game.After winning the toss at the picturesque Shalimar Ground, Karachi Blues were helped by responsible batting from Nasir Aziz and Naveed Khan, both of whom struck half centuries.When play was called off, 25 minutes before lunch, Nasir was 63 not out with Naveed batting on 58. Khurram Manzoor, was the only victim of the day, falling to pacer Saif-ur-Rehman for 21.Elsewhere, Faraz Patel stroked 16 boundaries in making 116 off 163 deliveries as Karachi Whites piled up 313 against defending champions Peshawar at National Stadium.Peshawar, in reply were 78 for two with skipper Abdul Nasir batting on 40.Summarized scores: *At Shalimar Ground, Islamabad:KARACHI BLUES 146-1 in 24.3 overs (Nasir Aziz 63 not out, Naveed Khan 58 not out) v ISLAMABAD.*At National Stadium, Karachi:KARACHI WHITES 313 in 79.2 overs (Faraz Patel 116, Mubashir Ahmed 90; Sajid Saeed 3-89);PESHAWAR 78-2 in 16 overs (Abdul Nasir 40 not out).*At Lahore Country Club, Muridke:LAHORE BLUES 208 in 71.5 overs (Mohammad Saeed 63, Azhar Ali 46, Adnan Butt 43; Riaz Afridi 3-70);FATA 52-2 in 15.4 overs.*At PCB Regional Academy Ground, Rawalpindi:RAWALPINDI 241 in 75.1 overs (Usama Shabbir 68; Arun Lal 4-44, Abdul Hameed 3-54);QUETTA 44-1 in 17 overs.*At Bahawalpur Stadium:BAHAWALPUR 213 in 79.1 overs (Asif Iqbal 72; Asim Naseer 7-61);LAHORE WHITES 32-2 in 11 overs.Our Sports Correspondent adds from Lahore: Multan’s paceman Kamran Hadi captured six for 23 as Kasur were bundled out for 99 in their first innings on the opening day of the three-day National Junior (Under-19) Grade-II Cricket Championship at Multan Stadium Wednesday.Multan replied with 170 for six in 54 overs by stumps.Elsewhere, Okara’s slow left-armer Zulfiqar Babar claimed seven for 69 as Faisalabad scored 252 in their first innings at Bohranwali Ground in Faisalabad.Okara, however, were in deep trouble at 43 for four at close of play.Leg-spinner Adeel Malik (six for 53) and Faisal Khan (97) put home side Sialkot in a commanding position against Mianwali at Saga Ground.Summarized scores: *At Multan Stadium, Multan:KASUR 99 in 57 overs (Kamran Hadi 6-23);MULTAN 170-6 in 54 overs (Yasir Arafat 50, Mohammad Siddique 46).*At Shola Ground, Quetta:TURBAT 160 in 43.3 overs (Khalil Ahmed 4-64, Ghulam Sarwar 3-18);GHAGHAI 161-6 in 54 overs (Nadir Khan 59 not out, Ghulam Sarwar 43; Javed Raza 3-42).*At Saga Ground, Sialkot:MIANWALI 192 in 56.3 overs (Mohammad Bilal 60, Shahid Hameed 41; Adeel Malik 6-53, Mansoor Amjad 3-64);SIALKOT 193-5 in 44.3 overs (Faisal Khan 97, Shahid Yousuf 50)*At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar:BANNU 208 in 57.1 overs (Raheem Baz 50; Mir Usman 5-105, Abdul Shakoor 4-38);AZAD JAMMU KASHMIR 114-4 in 35.4 overs (Afaq Raheem 68 not out).*At Nawabshah Stadium, Nawabshah:SUKKUR 355 in 78.2 overs (Asghar Ali 120, Yasir Ali 101; Abdullah 4-60);BADIN 45-2 in 19 overs.*At D.I. Khan Stadium, D.I. Khan:DERA ISMAIL KHAN 88 in 45.1 overs (Irfan Khan 53 not out; Abdul Wajid 3-4, Ihsan Elahi 3-29);MARDAN 90-8 in 40 overs (Kashif Sattar 3-29).*At Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad:FAISALABAD 252 in 76 overs (Ghulam Dastagir 59, Naved Haider 44, Qaiser Majeed 40; Zulfiqar Babar 7-69);OKARA 43-4 in 19 overs (Mudassar Hussain 3-13).*At Mahmood Stadium, Rahimyar Khan:SARGODHA 236 in 79.1 overs (Usman Arshad 73; Kashif Rasool 3-71);RAHIMYAR KHAN 49-1 in 15 overs.*At Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala:ATTOCK 114 in 43.4 overs (Ali Imran 5-40, Saeed Ehsan 4-40);GUJRANWALA 156-4 in 49 overs (Aamir Gulzar 41, Imran Ali 41).*At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad:MIRPURKHAS 95 in 43.5 overs (Shoaib Leghari 5-11);HYDERABAD 91-7 in 55 overs (Syed Rehan 3-23, Nabi Mohammad 3-39).*At Police Ground, Larkana:KARACHI GREENS 215 in 74.3 overs (Hassan Saud 65, Fahad Iqbal 41; Kashif Ali 3-32);LARKANA 29-1 in 13 overs.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has dropped an update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez in this summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have claimed that Fernando Hidalgo, the agent of the River Plate starlet, is set to meet with Villa’s representatives over a move to Dean Smith’s side ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

In a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece replied on various queries about the 21-year-old: “I’ve been told he has a £21.5m release clause in his contract – but I want to stand that up before reporting.”

“As mentioned, Alvarez seems most-likely given the reports coming from South America from credible journalists. AC Milan very keen on him, though, I’m told. It’s a case of wait and see.”

“Villa have had initial talks but that’s as far as I’ve got. Struggling to a firm grasp of the situation at present, much to my annoyance.”

Villa fans will be excited

After news emerged from the Arsenal camp that rumoured Villa transfer target Emile Smith Rowe is set to stay at the Emirates Stadium and pen a new contract with the north Londoners, Preece’s update on Alvarez makes for exciting reading.

The River Plate youngster is someone who can play anywhere across the frontline, and after a highly impressive campaign in his native Argentina, he was named as part of his country’s Copa America squad this summer.

Like Smith Rowe, he is very much a creative attacker who can play behind the striker, bagging four goals and set up another seven in just 20 appearances last season – including a couple of games where he plundered a hat-trick of assists against Godoy Cruz and Central Cordoba respectively.

Marcelo Gallardo, his manager at club level, has previously hailed the young Argentine as someone who “every coach would love to have.”

With Preece now reporting that Villa have had “initials talks” over signing Alvarez, that could be music to the ears of supporters who have watched a rather bizarre pursuit of Smith Rowe this summer.

In other news, Lange must avoid Villa mistake over “unstoppable” £38k-p/w gem, Smith would hate it.

An update has emerged on Burnley winger Dwight McNeil, amid interest from Aston Villa. 

What’s the talk?

According to Burnley publication Pendle Today, Burnley are yet to receive an enquiry or offer for Aston Villa target Dwight McNeil this summer. No club has touched base with the Premier League side over a potential deal for the England under-21 international, who Burnley are said to value at £30m.

Football Insider reported last month that Dwight McNeil is a player who is of interest to Villa. Dean Smith was said to be preparing an offer for McNeil, who is reportedly one of the club’s top transfer targets this summer.

Back in 2020, Burnley manager Sean Dyche hailed the “outstanding” winger and labeled him as one of the best young players in England. He told the Burnley Express:

“On a platform like today, I thought Dwight McNeil was outstanding.“He has got to be one of the top talents in the country for me at the moment. The game is getting away from you and it is a hard day at the office, and he was different class.“You could give him the ball and he was dribbling past three or four different players and carrying it.“He was absolutely different class for me.” Fans would love it

Johan Lange must now firm up Aston Villa’s interest in McNeil as fans would love it if the club managed to snap him up. Villa have already secured a deal to sign Emi Buendia from Norwich and McNeil could further strengthen their attacking unit behind Ollie Watkins, with Bertrand Traore and Jack Grealish already at the club. The Burnley winger could offer a different option to the likes of Traore and Grealish in the wide areas, as they tend to drift inside onto their stronger foot, whilst McNeil is a left-footed player who plays out on the left.

This means that McNeil could drive Villa up the pitch and get to the byline to put crosses in to Watkins and whoever else makes a run into the box, be it John McGinn, Traore or Douglas Luiz. Dean Smith would then have the option to switch up how Villa want to attack their opponents, be it from the start or off the bench, and this is why McNeil could be an excellent addition. McNeil has proven himself at Premier League level, with four goals and 11 assists since the start of the 2019/20 campaign for Burnley.

Villa now need to test the water and see how receptive Burnley are to any offers. As the initial report claimed, Burnley have not been tested as of yet and there is no harm in Villa putting out the feelers with an offer for the youngster. Worst case scenario, Lange wastes a few hours and then moves on to other targets. Best case scenario, Villa are able to tempt Burnley into a sale and Smith gains another talented forward player.

AND in other news, Lange must sanction Villa deal for “outstanding” 65-cap “leader”, Dean Smith needs him…

Sri Lanka have agreed to play a one-day triangular series with Pakistan andSouth Africa in Tangiers, Morocco during August after Bangladesh’s tour ofSri Lanka and prior to the ICC Champions Trophy in September

CricInfo03-Mar-2002Sri Lanka have agreed to play a one-day triangular series with Pakistan andSouth Africa in Tangiers, Morocco during August after Bangladesh’s tour ofSri Lanka and prior to the ICC Champions Trophy in September.The tournament follows the development of an international stadium inTangiers, a project championed by Arab businessman Abdur Rahman Bukhatir,who was also responsible for the setting up of the Cricketers Benefit FundSeries (CBFS), which organises bi-annual tournaments in Sharjah.Sri Lanka’s cricket board have a strong relationship with Bukhatir, havingagreed to play twice a year in Sharjah until 2004 and signed a three-yearbroadcasting rights memorandum of understanding with his Dubai basedtelevision company, Taj Television.There are also tentative plans for the Sri Lanka A team to play regularly atthe Moroccan venue, possibly with Pakistan A and India A should those twonations be able to resume cricketing ties.Sri Lanka’s participation in the inaugural international tournament inMorocco will mean an additional four matches in an already congested cricketcalendar leading up to the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.In the next 12 months they are currently scheduled to play a minimum of 40One-Day Internationals, which would stretch to 54 if they proceeded throughto all the tournament finals.

West Ham United could find themselves another Michail Antonio this summer amid interest in one of the Championship’s hottest prospects…

What’s the word?

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the Hammers are at the front of the queue to secure Blackburn Rovers talisman Adam Armstrong but they face competition from relegated Fulham as well as Premier League rivals Newcastle United, Norwich City and Southampton.

Despite only having one year to run on his current contract, the Championship outfit are remaining firm over their £20m valuation of the striker, whilst they are pushing to tie him down to fresh terms that would see him take a 40% sell-on clause.

The 24-year-old is currently on holiday, with his representatives holding talks with Rovers over his future.

Shades of Antonio

The Irons have had mixed success when it comes to recruiting from the lower divisions, ranging from absolute flops like Jordan Hugill to finding club legends like Michail Antonio.

A move for Armstrong would certainly edge towards the latter rather than the former.

As per Transfermarkt, the diminutive 5 foot 8 dynamo found the net a whopping 29 times in all competitions for Blackburn during the 2020/21 campaign, adding to his 17-goal tally a season earlier.

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He clearly has a knack for scoring goals and has proven that in every step up through the leagues, having enjoyed successful loan spells at Coventry and Barnsley whilst on the books at the Magpies.

During his time at the Ricoh Arena, he earned perhaps the most glowing endorsement he’ll ever receive from Hammers legend and then-teammate Joe Cole.

“Armstrong reminds me of Aguero in a way, he’s of the build and he’s hungry for goals,” he claimed. “In a lovely way, he’s selfish for goals and has the ingredients to be a top player and go on to score many more goals.”

The 24-year-old, valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, has also been dubbed “explosive” and “devastating” by Tony Mowbray during an interview with The Athletic back in January.

West Ham signed Antonio after a very lucrative season at Nottingham Forest, where he delivered 26 goal contributions in 46 appearances, via WhoScored, so there would certainly be further similarities if David Moyes took a punt on Armstrong.

£20m is a lot cheaper than some of the fees mooted around their other targets, namely the £40m price tag on Tammy Abraham’s head, so GSB should look to sanction a move for the Blackburn sensation this summer.

AND in other news, West Ham suffer major Jesse Lingard setback…

Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan has dropped an intriguing verdict on Whites youngster Joe Gelhardt [Football Insider]. The 19 year-old is yet to be seen in first-team action for the club.

The Lowdown: Leeds gear up for the 2021/22 Premier League campaign

As Leeds United get their ducks in a row for the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, signings from elsewhere will not be Marcelo Bielsa’s only priority.

In attack, the Whites have been linked with players like Eddie Nketiah and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as they seek to strengthen the depth around the likes of Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

However, Whelan reckons that the Elland Road side may already have a new attacking outlet at Thorp Arch.

The Latest: Whelan drops an intriguing verdict on the Leeds youngster

In an interview with Football Insider, former Leeds player Whelan claimed that Gelhardt can force his way into the team.

“From the people I’ve spoken to Gelhardt is best in a number 10 role, not a number nine.

“I would expect him after an amazing season with the Under-23s to get his chance. He can only do so much with the Under-23s. You have to bide your time with Bielsa.

“Whether Tyler Roberts stays or goes, Gelhardt will fancy his chances of taking his spot in the squad next season. I think he could edge out Tyler Roberts.”

The Verdict: Time to shine

Upon reflection, the ex-pro turned pundit makes a compelling case for the inclusion of the youngster as a part of the Leeds United squad.

Rightfully pointing out his sparking form at Under-23 level, the 19-year-old scored 11 goals in 16 games for the Whites [Transfermarkt], contributing heavily to their Premier League 2 Division 2 triumph [SBNation].

On the books with the Whites until 2024, Leeds United should look to give Gelhardt some prominent game time early in the next campaign. If he shows signs of replicating the form he has produced at the youth level, it could prove to be a Bielsa masterstroke.

In other news, Leeds United have held talks with a 12-goal international winger.

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he can understand why former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has called out the likes of Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie.

Celtic endured a disastrous season as they handed over their title to their fierce rivals, and McAvennie has not held back when discussing some of the players at his old club.

The retired forward told The Herald last month that he can’t work out why Ajer doesn’t want to head the ball, while he hit out at Christie for not doing enough when speaking to Football Insider.

Scathing criticism, but it did not surprise Hendrie, who spoke exclusively to TT about Celtic’s miserable campaign. On the subject, the ex-Aston Villa midfielder said:

“Yes, you can single out those players. I think they’re players you certainly look at and you want to stand up and be counted for, so there’s no surprise Frank’s dug a few of those players out.”

Ajer may not be a Celtic player for much longer, with the central defender currently being linked with a move to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Christie’s contract is set to expire next year, though there has been some confusion about exactly when.

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Raphinha is set to miss the clash against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The Brazilian limped off the pitch in the 2-1 over Manchester City last month and has since missed the games against Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

Ahead of the Yorkshire side’s clash against the Seagulls today, Bielsa delivered a rather worrying update on the winger and the injury that he sustained at the Etihad Stadium.

He said: “More than serious is more difficult to give a diagnostic of and difficult to give return date. A hit which created an internal hematoma and until that hematoma disappears it causes pain and inhibits mobility.

“This can be resolved quickly or take longer. When the hematoma reduces and the player is no longer in pain he will return quickly. The impression is that we are in the final stages until he is finally healed.”

Bielsa surely devastated

Make no mistake about it, Bielsa will be sickened over missing his chief talisman from this season once again. The summer signing has been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League with the way he has adjusted to life in English football, scoring six times and providing a further six assists in the top flight.

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Raphinha’s displays had Leeds teammate Patrick Bamford hailing about him after the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace earlier in the campaign, with the Englishman saying on Sky Sports: “I think, to be honest, he has been a steal for Leeds. I am surprised. As soon as he came in, you saw him in training, you know sometimes with players whether they are good or they are top class, and he really was. He stood out straightaway.

“I am surprised that bigger teams, more established Premier League teams I should say, haven’t taken a punt on him because he really is someone special, and he is young.”

While it is certainly only a small sample size, in the three games in which Raphinha has not featured, Leeds have yet to win, including a 4-1 defeat against Leicester early in the season.

Being without him once again will come as a blow to Bielsa and a setback to his side’s chances of avenging the home defeat by Brighton back in January.

Meanwhile, Leeds can finally bin this “liability”…

Everton have a real chance of securing European football this season, with their win last time out marking a real statement for the Toffees.

They still have West Ham and Manchester City to face this season, while a clash with Aston Villa on Saturday evening could also be a tough one.

The Villans and Everton are separated by three points at the moment with the two historic clubs enjoying impressive campaigns, but while Villa will still be missing Jack Grealish, Carlo Ancelotti has the luxury of welcoming back one of his injury casualties from recent days.

As per Ben Dinnery on Twitter, Michael Keane will be back in the Everton line-up on Saturday after his recovery from a hamstring problem. The centre-back missed their 1-0 victory over Arsenal last time out, with Ben Godfrey moving across from full-back to take his place in the middle.

Ancelotti’s side kept a clean sheet without him when he was absent but it will be a huge boost to have him back in the XI. After all, the England international has only missed two games for the Merseyside club this season, becoming one of their most important players.

No Everton player has made more interceptions per game than Keane this term (1.5) while his 2.9 aerial duels won per match are more than any other Toffees centre-half. The 28-year-old also has the second-best passing success rate (87.4%) in the squad of those to have played more than six games.

Keane clearly offers a lot to Everton, so it’s no surprise to see that he’s been such a big success under Ancelotti. He is astute at reading the ball and is composed when bringing it forward from defence.

With the Toffees pushing for European football, it will be a big boost to have such an important player back fit as the season approaches its climax.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Everton must sign “phenomenal” £250k-p/w ace with “magical powers”…

Many Arsenal fans have been left to buzz after Chris Wheatley dropped a big update before their UEFA Europa League second leg tie at home to Villarreal.

As per a tweet from the football.london journalist, Kieran Tierney, Alex Lacazette and David Luiz were all in full training ahead of the game, with the former two not being able to play against Newcastle United because of injury while the latter was forced off at St. James’ Park.

They are three key players that Mikel Arteta may need to call upon at the Emirates Stadium, with Tierney offering a more natural threat at left-back than Granit Xhaka, who is a central midfield player by trade, while David Luiz has the ability to pick out his teammates with long balls from the back, as he showed against the Magpies.

Lacazette would offer another goal threat up front, and is the Gunners’ top scorer in all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

Arsenal fans on pre-Villarreal update

These Gooners buzzed as the update was shared on Twitter, with one AFC supporter even going as far as to say that they were ‘so happy’:

“SIIIIIIIIIIIIUUUUUU”

Credit: @aIex_afc

“Nahhhhhhhhhh let’s gooo”

Credit: @MarouaneFeysal

“I’m so happy David Luiz is training. Such a strong fellow. #UEL”

Credit: @Gydion_Linus

“Big positive before the semis.”

Credit: @NirbanAdhikary

“LUIZ WOW”

Credit: @AfcNas

“Tierney and Luiz being fit would be such a massive boost”Credit: @AlexCullen17In other news, find out whose first half display versus NUFC was slammed here!