أعلن أول مرشح في انتخابات النادي الأهلي، تقديم أوراق الترشح بشكل رسمي، استعدادًا لخوض سباق الدورية الانتخابية المقبلة.
وكشف أحمد مجدي الحيوان، عن تقديم أوراق ترشحه على عضوية مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، فوق السن مستقل.
وكتب الحيوان، عبر حسابه الشخصي على فيس بوك: “بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم إيماناً مني بعظمة النادي الأهلي كمؤسسة وطنية بدورها الرائد في الرياضة والمجتمع، قررت الترشح لعضوية مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي – فوق السن”.
طالع.. رسميًا | الخطيب يعلن قائمته في انتخابات الأهلي 2025.. موقف عبد الحفيظ وياسين منصور
وأكمل: “أعاهدكم على أن أبذل قصارى جهدي للحفاظ على مكانة نادينا العظيم، وأن أعمل بكل إخلاص واتقان وشفافية لتحقيق ما فيه الصالح والخير للأهلي وأسرته الكبيرة”.
وأضاف: “فمن يرى فيَّ خيراً وقدرةً على خدمة الكيان، أرجو منكم الدعم والمساندة أخوكم أحمد مجدي الحيوان والله ولي التوفيق”.
ومن المقرر أن تعقد انتخابات مجلس الأهلي يومي 30 و31 أكتوبر المقبل.
Cristiano Ronaldo was seen consoling an emotional Portugal mascot ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Armenia. One little boy, overwhelmed by the gravity of the occasion, broke into tears as he realised he was walking beside his idol.
Ronaldo consoled emotional young mascotWent on to score against ArmeniaGoal extends his international scoring recordFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo, visibly moved, leaned down to console the child, offering words of comfort and a reassuring touch. The clip went viral, hailed as another example of the Portuguese legend’s softer side.
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Once the whistle blew, the emotional prelude gave way to business. Portugal tore into Armenia with ruthless efficiency, racing into a 3-0 lead inside the first half-hour. Ronaldo, of course, added his name to the scoresheet, extending his staggering international tally to 139 goals in 222 appearances. The Al-Nassr striker’s sharp finish reminded everyone that, even at 40 years old, he remains one of the deadliest forwards on the planet.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?
At 41 by the time next summer’s World Cup arrives, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner knows this could be his final bow on the grandest stage of all. The idea of one last tournament, and possibly facing Lionel Messi for a historic sixth World Cup appearance, adds yet another layer of intrigue to his enduring career. Should both icons play in 2026, they would become the first footballers in history to feature at six separate World Cups, a record that may never be matched.
Stallions’ 174-run win meant that the teams batting first have won all seven games so far in the tournament
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2024
Babar Azam scored 104 not out off 100 balls•PCB
Babar Azam’s unbeaten 104 off 100 balls and Jahandad Khan’s three wickets with the new ball handed Dolphins their third defeat in three games as Stallions registered a mammoth 174-run win in Faisalabad. The result also meant that the teams batting first have won all seven matches so far in the tournament.After Stallions opted to bat, Shan Masood and Yasir Khan gave them a start of 76 in 13 overs. Faheem Ashraf broke the stand with Masood’s wicket and put the brakes on the scoring rate. Yasir, too, fell soon after but Babar played the anchor’s role to perfection. Along with Tayyab Tahir, he added 57 for the third wicket and took the side to 150 in the 30th over.Dolphins used six bowlers in the match and each of them picked up a wicket, but Babar stood firm. At the end of 40 overs, he was on 50 off 65 balls. In the last ten, he smashed 54 off 35, with the help of three fours and three sixes, and lifted Stallions to 271 for 7.If Dolphins thought they would break their duck, Jahandad shattered their hopes quite early into the chase. With the second ball of the innings, he had Muhammad Hurraira caught behind for a duck. In his third over, he trapped Umar Amin lbw to make it 15 for 2.Sahibzada Farhan and Saud Shakeel struck five fours in the next 20 balls but Jahandad struck immediately after that, this time cleaning up Shakeel.Soon after, Haris Rauf dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed and Qasim Akram in the space of three balls to leave Dolphins gasping for air. From 60 for 5, there was no comeback. The lower middle order surrendered without any resistance against the spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Mehran Mumtaz. The two shared five wickets as Dolphins folded for 97.
Chelsea have made a winning start to their Club World Cup campaign.
On Monday night, Enzo Maresca’s team easily swatted aside MLS outfit Los Angeles FC 2-0 in Atlanta, with Pedro Neto breaking the deadlock on the cusp of half time, before Enzo Fernández, teed up by debutant Liam Delap, made the points secure.
The major talking point was all the empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with around 22,000 in attendance, but this is not a good look in a venue that holds up to 75,000; for context, Atlanta United average around 45,000 in Major League Soccer this season.
Nevertheless, Maresca won’t care about that one jot, as his team prepare to take on Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday, after the Brazilian outfit were also 2-0 winners on Monday, beating Espérance Sportive de Tunis in Philadelphia.
Back at home, Chelsea continue to be busy in the transfer market, so are they about to land yet another wide-forward?
Chelsea's search for a new winger
Signing new forwards is clearly the order of the day for BlueCo this summer with Delap already in the door and Hugo Ekitike also touted with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Now, the Blues have another target in mind according to the latest reports.
As per David Ornstein of the Athletic, Chelsea ‘have made a verbal enquiry’ as they seek to sign Olympique Lyonnais winger Malick Fofana.
Meantime, French outlet L’Equipe add that Lyon value the forward at around £50m.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The 20-year-old began his senior career at Gent, before joining les Gones for a reported fee of £14.5m in January 2024, making 62 appearances for Lyon to date, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “magnificent winger prospect”, so could he be set to swap France for West London?
Why Chelsea should sign Malick Fofana not Jamie Gittens
After deciding not to make Jadon Sancho’s loan from Manchester United permanent, paying a £5m penalty fee as a result, Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian reports that Chelsea are ‘prioritising’ signing a right-footed left-winger this summer.
Well, BBC Sport claimed last week that the Blues had seen a £42m rejected by Borussia Dortmund for 20-year-old Englishman Jamie Gittens, who they claim has already agreed personal terms.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
But now, are the Blues turning their attention to Fofana, and who is actually the bigger prospect? Let’s find out.
Appearances
41
48
Minutes
2,280
2,790
Goals
11
12
Assists
6
5
Goals – xG
+5
+6.7
Expected assists
4.4
3.5
Shots on target %
54%
40.3%
Progressive carries
157
161
Attempted take-ons
83
232
Take-on success %
39.8%
44.8%
Shot-creating actions per 90
3.43
3.57
Goal-creating actions per 90
0.61
0.45
Average SofaScore rating
7.24
7.05
As the table outlines, Gittens is much more of a prolific dribbler; in fact, across Europe’s top five leagues, only six players attempted more take-ons, according to FBref.com.
However, Fofana is a significantly more of a direct goal-threat, underlined by the fact he registered more assists and a higher amount of expected assists, as well as goal-creating actions per 90 and a better shots on target percentage.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes the Belgian international possesses “enormous potential” and has a “big future ahead”, while Brandon Liss of Total Football Analysis outlines how Fofana likes to hold width on the left side, tasked with taking on opposition full-backs, “working tirelessly” and demonstrating “excellent work rate”.
Meantime, Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines asserts that Fofana ‘has huge potential’, describing him as an ‘explosive winger’ who ‘combines well with teammates’ and is a threat in front of goal.
Lyon are currently under pressure to sell and fast because they have been provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial irregularities, a situation that remains up in the air.
Thus, if Chelsea are able to take advantage of Lyon’s predicament and get a deal done, Fofana is unquestionably a top-class talent.
Maresca must sign an upgrade on 5/10 Chelsea dud who lost the ball 10 times
Chelsea beat LAFC 2-0 in their first game of the Club World Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur could undergo a serious squad revamp ahead of Thomas Frank’s first full campaign in charge of the Lilywhites, with a few intriguing names facing uncertain futures in north London.
Tottenham preparing bid for £30m colossus wanted by Napoli, Milan and Inter
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Their most high-profile departure of the summer window could well be club legend Son Heung-min, who’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract, and he was initially set to leave on a free this year, before chairman Daniel Levy triggered the season-long extension clause in his contract.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
Son is attracting serious interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, and credible news outlets like The Telegraph suggest there is every likelihood that the season just gone may have been the South Korean’s last at Spurs.
Asian media sources claim Levy will demand around £50 million for the 32-year-old, as Tottenham’s chief looks to make as much money back off his sale as possible, but he may not be the only star player to depart before the beginning of 2025/2026.
Defender Cristian Romero, who played a key role for Spurs in their Europa League campaign, winning the tournament’s Player of the Season award, is a wanted man in Madrid.
Atlético boss Diego Simeone recently confirmed his interest in signing Romero, and if the La Liga side make a significant-enough offer, Spurs may well be forced to consider it given the Argentine has just two years left on his contract.
The likes of Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil appear nailed on to leave at this point, given both men spent 2024/2025 on loan elsewhere, and the former’s sale would count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR due to the fact he signed as a free agent.
Another player who joined Spurs two years ago, but hasn’t quite found a route into the first-team, is 21-year-old striker Alejo Veliz.
Tottenham in talks to sell Alejo Veliz after bid made
The Argentine has spent the last one and a half seasons on loan spells at Sevilla and Espanyol, but he hasn’t exactly set the world alight in that time – scoring just one La Liga goal.
For Tottenham, Veliz has made just eight Premier League appearances, scoring once in a 4-2 defeat against Brighton in 2023, and Levy could well decide to cut his losses.
Alejo Veliz.
According to South American news outlet Ole, via Sport Witness, Racing de Alma have made a bid to sign Veliz from Tottenham, reporting on Thursday night that it came in the last few hours.
Frank’s side are clear; they’ll only consider a permanent deal, not a loan, and Racing are attempting to oblige. They also want a significant sell-on clause inserted into the deal, with Racing currently “in full negotiations” to find an agreement, though there is no mention of whether their opening bid will be accepted.
Racing have apparently offered around £3.6 million for the forward, who’s been called a “phenomenon” by 1978 Argentine World Cup winner Daniel Bertoni, so Levy may have to take a loss on the £12 million they paid to sign Veliz from Rosario Central.
Attempting to finally replace Illan Meslier, Leeds United are now reportedly serious about signing a goalkeeper who has been the best shot-stopper in Ligue 1 this season.
Leeds' Meslier problem set to end this summer
Leeds may be a side in celebration right now after winning the Championship and earning promotion back to the Premier League, but that should not take away from their clear Meslier problem. The shot-stopper endured a disastrous year which very nearly derailed the Whites’ automatic promotion hopes, before Daniel Farke had seen enough and replaced his No.1 with back-up option Karl Darlow.
After making that decision, Farke saw his side go from one win in five Championship games to six wins in seven to earn title success in the Championship. And that form without Meslier was no coincidence. His confidence looked lower than ever at times and those around him looked similarly concerned – creating a chaotic backline.
After dropping his goalkeeper, Farke admitted that it was a decision that had to be made at the start of April, telling reporters: “Obviously he was involved in both [Swansea] goals in the last game, and it was a shame because after the penalty save he was on his way to being man of the match.
“So it was clear we had to make a decision. And we had to make it early in the week, because in that position the players need clarity, and Karl [Darlow] needs the time to prepare.
“We had a pretty open, honest conversation. Of course he’s disappointed he won’t start. But he took it very professionally and he was still more disappointed about the Swansea game.”
49ers in active talks to sign £20m star who's desperate for Leeds move
Daniel Farke knows him well…
1
By
Tom Cunningham
May 9, 2025
Now, with an even more important decision to make, the 49ers have reportedly added a goalkeeper to their summer wishlist at Elland Road and have set their sights on a particularly impressive option.
Leeds now serious about Petrovic
According to TeamTalk, Leeds are now serious about signing Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea this summer following his impressive loan spell at Strasbourg, and his agents have been informed of the interest. It’s whilst on loan in Ligue 1 that Petrovic has earned plenty of admirers with the numbers only adding credit to a fantastic campaign.
With two games left to play, no goalkeeper in his division has managed a better save percentage than his 75 per cent, or more accurate passes than the 913 that he has completed. Simply put, Petrovic would offer those at Elland Road an instant upgrade on Meslier this summer.
Now a prime target for Leeds, Petrovic’s agent is reportedly aware of the interest and his client could have a decision to make in the coming months. Fresh from his loan spell in France, whether Chelsea believe that the 25-year-old is ready to become their No.1 ahead of Robert Sanchez is likely to play a large part. What he is unlikely to do is sit on the bench once again following an excellent campaign.
In a major boost for those in the Midlands, Besiktas are now reportedly willing to listen to offers for a long-term Aston Villa target this summer and the Villans could finally get their man.
All eyes on Bournemouth for Aston Villa
Still battling to squeeze their way into the top five in the final three Premier League games, Aston Villa simply cannot afford anything but three points against a tough Bournemouth side this weekend. Everything is still to play for in the race for European football and anything could still happen. Even sat seventh, Unai Emery’s side should have plenty of hope.
Emery recently spoke about his side’s final run-in and how his side are taking it one game at a time, telling reporters: “Bournemouth, next week. Bournemouth. So, so difficult, Bournemouth. And then, we’ll see. We’ll see. Saturday, finished. Now Bournemouth.
“Before Saturday if we were thinking, ok, the next match is Bournemouth, the next match is Tottenham, Manchester United… if we weren’t winning, forget it! Completely! We have to go to each match and try to win. If we win like today, ok, the next one.”
Following their trip to Bournemouth, Aston Villa will square off against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to end their season. In many ways, nothing quite represents how much the Premier League has changed more than Villa’s fight for Champions League football coming against two bottom half sides who many tipped to be in the Villans’ position at the start of the campaign.
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Things are likely to get even worse for Manchester United and Spurs if Villa qualify for a place among Europe’s elite too. With Champions League football to offer, those in the Midlands could instantly go in pursuit of major upgrades which may yet include one particular young star.
Besiktas now open to selling "dynamic" Kilicsoy
According to Fotomac in Turkey, as relayed by Sport Witness, Besiktas are now open to selling Semih Kilicsoy with Aston Villa already eyeing a summer swoop to finally land his signature. The 19-year-old first grabbed Villa’s attention last summer and was even reportedly the subject of a rejected offer. Now, a year on, a similar offer could be enough for the Turkish side to bid farewell to their young star.
Described as a “dynamic versatile forward” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Kilicsoy is undoubtedly one to watch. His first full season at senior level was incredibly impressive and since then he has not looked back.
In the current campaign, Kilicsoy has managed four goals and six assists – once again proving his ability to be a consistent outlet from either flank or, indeed, the player leading the line. With plenty of years between now and his peak, the teenager is not one that Villa will want to miss out on.
Tottenham Hotspur have initiated contact over potentially appointing an “exciting” and “attacking” manager to replace Ange Postecoglou, with speculation continuing to mount in regard to the Spurs boss’ long-term future.
Ange Postecoglou makes admission over Spurs job
The 59-year-old is said to be facing a last chance to maintain his position in the dugout for next season, following a lacklustre Premier League campaign where Spurs find themselves 14th in the league after 16 top-flight defeats in total.
Tottenham hold talks with "top" £40m player who Arsenal have contacted too
The north London duo have both reached out.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 10, 2025
Fabrizio Romano and other reliable media outlets report that the Europa League will be crucial in saving Postecoglou’s job at Spurs, and failure to perform in the competition will more than likely result in a change of manager.
Wolves (away)
April 13th
Nottingham Forest (home)
April 21st
Liverpool (away)
April 27th
West Ham (away)
May 3rd
Crystal Palace (home)
May 10th
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is also believed to be Tottenham’s top managerial target if they decide to go in a different direction to the ex-Celtic gaffer, while Fulham’s Marco Silva, Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank have all been linked in the last fortnight.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Lilywhites’ crucial Europa League quarter-final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, Postecoglou admitted he’s aware of some sentiments that he could be sacked regardless of their European campaign.
“I came to this club with a clear purpose of rejuvenating a squad that was coming to the end of a cycle,” said Postecoglou on his future.
“I just think we’re in that position that the good stuff we may do is going to be turned into a glass half full rhetoric and from that perspective I don’t think that can be a driver in what we want to do. The lads are really keen to bring success to the club.
“I don’t think you’re going to win that argument of convincing people, well I think [someone] wrote that even if we win it, I’m gone anyway.
“That’s not having a go at you, that’s just saying the general sentiment of people.”
Tottenham are also reportedly interested in Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who’s just guided the Eagles to an FA Cup semi-final and has impressed with the job he’s done at Selhurst Park.
Tottenham make contact over Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner
Last week, it was claimed that Tottenham are real admirers of Glasner, who Red Bull’s head of Global Soccer, Jurgen Klopp, really likes and is targeting for RB Leipzig.
Now, Sport Bild have another update on the Austrian and Spurs’ interest.
It is believed Tottenham have made contact for Glasner, and they’re seen as serious threats to Leipzig’s prospects of hiring the 50-year-old, considering they can tempt the Austrian with a higher wage packet.
With an approach apparently made, supporters will be intrigued to see Palace chairman Steve Parish’s glowing endorsement of Glasner, who lavished the head coach with praise following his appointment last year.
“He has an outstanding record, and we believe he is the right manager to take the club forward at this pivotal stage,” said Parish last season.
“Wherever Oliver has gone so far in his managerial journey, success has been quick to follow, and we believe his ambition, as well as his exciting and attacking approach is the perfect fit for getting the most from our talented young squad in the remainder of this Premier League season and beyond.”
Taking this into account, and his solid managerial candidate, he could be a strong outside candidate to rival the likes of Iraola and Silva.
“He just needed a little bit of time to bat out of that powerplay, which he did,” says Wasim Jaffer after Jaiswal’s 60-ball 104*
Ashish Pant23-Apr-20242:38
‘Jaiswal needed time to bat out of the powerplay’ – Jaffer
Yashasvi Jaiswal is back. He will say he never went away, and his strike rate will agree. But for a run machine, IPL 2024 was lukewarm. Before Monday night.Coming into his eighth game of the season, Jaiswal had scored 129 runs striking at 145.78, but only averaging 17.28. He was getting starts but was usually guilty of going too hard at the ball, losing his shape and his wicket in the process. He had failed to make it out of the powerplay six times out of seven, falling to pace on every occasion. Not having a fifty was also concerning, especially with everything being looked from a T20 World Cup point of view.Should India take him to the World Cup? Should Rajasthan Royals think of giving him a break? Should Jaiswal change his approach? Is it a form slump?Related
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On Monday, against one of his favourite IPL opponents, over 88 minutes and 60 balls, Jaiswal answered at least some of the questions: there was no form slump, and no need to change his approach. In Jaipur, Jaiswal hit his second century against Mumbai Indians in three innings, finishing with an unbeaten 104 at a strike rate of 173.33. And while the finishing was top-notch, the pacing of his innings was what set it apart.Jaiswal had a strike rate of 110 in the first ten balls of his innings.That went up to 180 after 20 balls.By 30 balls, he had got to his maiden half-century of the season.What had changed was how Jaiswal was allowing the ball to come on to his bat rather than go after it. He struck five fours and a six in the powerplay, all with the flourish and timing we are accustomed to.”It’s more the Yashasvi Jaiswal we know. I think he took his time early on, played some conventional shots and then we all know what he could do,” Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut. “He has everything in his armoury, but he just needed a little bit of time to bat out of that powerplay, which he did. Those failures helped him to realise that this is how he needs to approach a T20 innings.”
“I really enjoyed [batting] from the start, and I was just trying to make sure that I was watching the ball properly and playing my cricketing shots, which I think I did today”Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal scored his first boundary, a straight six over Gerald Coetzee’s head, on the first ball of the fourth over. Coetzee didn’t take to being treated like that kindly. What followed were four searing back-of-a-length balls bowled at around the 150kph mark. Jaiswal was rushed into a pull on the fifth ball of the over, with the top edge just clearing the wicketkeeper.But it was the final delivery of that Coetzee over that would have pleased Jaiswal no end. A 151.1kph bolt was delivered around the length area on off stump. Jaiswal just stood tall and punched the ball through covers. #Jazball was on.”I really enjoyed [batting] from the start, and I was just trying to make sure that I was watching the ball properly and playing my cricketing shots, which I think I did today,” Jaiswal said after on the official broadcast the game. “I really enjoyed it, I really loved it. I am trying to keep doing what I do. Some days are tough, and some days are good. I was just playing – that is all. I didn’t have anything in my mind.”He had a slice of luck when on 50, as Nehal Wadhera shelled a simple catch at long-off, and Jaiswal knew it was his night. No Mumbai bowler was spared – not even Jasprit Bumrah – as Jaiswal heaved him away for six over deep square leg followed by a four to fine leg. He was lethal against spinners, collecting 47 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 188, while he struck at 162.85 against the quicks.It took Jaiswal 59 balls to reach his second IPL century, and as he removed his helmet and thumped the air, there was relief written all over his face. Three balls later, Royals had registered their seventh win of the season.2:10
What worked for Jaiswal? How accurate was Sandeep Sharma?
“He is the most exciting young player in world cricket at the moment. There are a couple out there, and he is right at the top of that conversation,” Tom Moody said. “[An] all-format player, how he has grown so quickly, from his Under-19 journey to international cricket to IPL stardom is quite remarkable. It is a privilege to watch. Some of those cover drives today were right out of the top drawer.”And how did the team engage with Jaiswal when he was not among the runs?”I don’t think he needs anyone. He is always filled with a lot of confidence,” Royals captain Sanju Samson said. “We knew that it is just a matter of one game. I think the way he batted in the powerplay, he was calm, composed and he knew that things are under control. We knew in the dugout that he is playing some [nice] cricketing shots today and he will be fine today. Really happy for him.”Rohit Sharma ended on the losing side but was one of the first to congratulate Jaiswal after the game. His runs are great for Royals, but also for India, after all. After an uncertain start to his season, Jaiswal will hope the worst is behind him, and that can only mean a stronger Royals unit. That’s ominous for the other teams.
The RCB allrounder has been setting the pace with both bat and ball this season
Hemant Brar08-May-2022Algebra and calculus have troubled Bengal and Royal Challengers Bangalore allrounder Shahbaz Ahmed more than any opposition bowler or batter has.In 2011, Shahbaz’s father enrolled him in a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, but until last year he couldn’t get past Mathematics 101, a subject from the first semester. It was only last season, when he was playing in the IPL for RCB, as it happened, that he took the exam for it online and passed. “So you can say I have completed my engineering,” Shahbaz says.Apart from that, he has also been working hard to upgrade his cricketing skills. Here, too, the results have gone largely in his favour.Related
'Play late, leave more' – how Shahbaz Ahmed adapted to red-ball cricket
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Karthik and Shahbaz inspire Royal Challengers' scrappy win
Powered by self-belief, Shahbaz Ahmed creates his own chances
Bought back by Royal Challengers at the auction in February, Shahbaz made over 25 in each of his first five innings in this year’s IPL. That’s some consistency for a player who bats mainly at No. 5 and 6. He hasn’t been as successful with his left-arm fingerspin but has bowled a couple of handy spells.Shahbaz’s stronger suit is batting but in 2020, his first season with Royal Challengers, he played only two games and faced just one ball. The next year he got a longer run but could score only 59 runs in seven innings at an average of 8.42 and a strike rate of 111.32.While his returns with the bat were not stellar, he gained valuable insights about his craft. “I realised I was struggling to hit against fast bowlers,” Shahbaz says. “Whenever I tried big shots, I was ending up in an open-stance position. Simon Katich [then Royal Challengers head coach] and Mike Hesson [director of cricket at the franchise] sir told me if I can maintain my shape, I can score in any situation. That’s something I have tried to address this time.”At RCB, he has also had the opportunity to pick the brains of two of the best hitters in T20 cricket. “Big players such as AB de Villiers sir and Glenn Maxwell sir don’t talk much about technique,” Shahbaz says. “Whenever I spoke to them, it was about planning, conditions, and how to plan for different conditions. What the good boundary options are against fast bowlers and spinners. Or how to keep the scoreboard moving irrespective of the situation and build a platform from where we can win the match.”Shahbaz enjoys batting with Dinesh Karthik: “With him you don’t feel any pressure as he can change the momentum of the game in one over”•BCCIAll that culminated in one crucial knock after another this season. And his strike rate against pace zoomed from 125.00 last season to 143.01 this time.In the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, he went in at 62 for 4 and scored 27 off 20 balls to put his team ahead in a chase of 129. Against Rajasthan Royals he entered at the same scoreline. This time RCB were chasing 170. He smashed 45 off 26 balls and along with Dinesh Karthik (44 not out off 23), took the side to a win.Batting first against Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers were 75 for 4, which soon became 92 for 5. Shahbaz and Karthik then added 97 in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand, lifting Royal Challengers to a winning total.”I enjoy batting with DK [Karthik] . He is so cool and calm even in those pressure situations,” Shahbaz says. “He just says we have to take the game deep. If I play a rash shot, he would tell me that this is not needed at this stage. Only if I get a loose ball I should try for the boundary. Else, I should take a single, or even if it’s a dot ball, it’s okay. With him, you don’t feel any pressure as he can change the momentum of the game in one over.”Shahbaz mentions the Rajasthan Royals match, where Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin had stifled the batters on a pitch that was taking spin. “I wasn’t able to figure out how to take the game deep. Ashwin had an over left, and I was thinking of playing him out as it was easier to score against fast bowlers. Then DK came and attacked Ashwin. In that one over, the game completely changed.”RCB spin-bowling coach S Sriram suggested Shahbaz work on a faster run-up, which helped him find his rhythm and increase his bowling speed•Royal Challengers BangaloreWith 82 needed off 42 balls, Karthik hit Ashwin for three fours and a six in a 21-run over. It was another lesson for Shahbaz in his cricketing education.
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When he was struggling with the bat in the 2021 IPL, it was his bowling that kept Shahbaz in the frame at RCB. He picked up seven wickets, including a game-changing 3 for 7 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, at an economy of 6.57.This year he has been assigned the role of fifth bowler, alongside Maxwell. While he has been a bit expensive at times, he also bowled a spell of 4-0-25-0 against Lucknow Super Giants. Against Gujarat Titans he took the wickets of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya to bring his side back into the game, and in his most recent match, against Chennai Super Kings, he broke the opening stand by dismissing an in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad.Shahbaz credits S Sriram, the Royal Challengers batting and spin-bowling coach, for giving him belief. “When I first came to the IPL, I had doubts if my bowling skills were good enough for this level. But in the last two seasons, I have learnt a lot from S Sriram about how to bowl to each batsman and get them out. He knows my bowling inside out.”The biggest improvement, Shahbaz says, has been in his rhythm, which he had struggled with. Sriram suggested making his run-up faster, which helped with that aspect. It had another benefit as well.”Earlier, my bowling speed was too slow. If you bowl that slow in the IPL, batters can always attack you. So my biggest worry was how I can increase my speed by 4-5kph. As I worked on my rhythm, my speed also increased.”Now I aim for 94-95kph for my normal ball, and my slower ball is at around 88-89kph. If I can maintain 95kph, it helps a lot in these conditions. Otherwise, on these flat Mumbai wickets, it is very difficult for spinners.””There will be a time when I will have to finish games on my own. I am prepared and waiting for that time”•BCCIIn T20s, the conventional wisdom is that a left-arm fingerspinner isn’t as effective against a left-hand batter. But Shahbaz has been trying to up his game against left-hand batters as well.”Ever since I started playing, I bowled from around the wicket. It’s a good option but now I am bowling over the wicket as well, to left-hand batsmen. Because that gives you a lot of options, and the more options you have, the more you can control the game.”If you are bowling over the wicket, you can bowl wide outside off. If there is some turn available, then you can turn from outside off. Then the leftie has only one option – to hit down the ground. The leg-side option is no longer available.”From over the wicket, you can bowl the leg-stump line as well, which is effective this season because most games are being played on side wickets due to limited venues. So one square boundary is generally bigger than the other. That makes it difficult for left-handers to hit on the leg side [if that’s the bigger boundary]. This also creates more wicket-taking options.”While Shahbaz is tightening up his bowling, it’s batting he enjoys more and wants to make more of an impact with. At the top of his to-do list is to see games to the end with the bat.”In domestic cricket, I have finished a few close games, so I have that experience. Against KKR, we were chasing 127 [129], and I scored 27 in a tough situation but then I got out. Akash Deep [Bengal and Royal Challengers team-mate] said to me, ‘You could have finished this game but you lost your wicket to a bad shot. What happened?’ I told him this was my first innings in the IPL where I had batted well. The more experience I get of batting in this position, the more games I can finish for the team.”Right now, I am mostly playing a supporting role to DK , but there will be a time when I will have to finish games on my own. I am prepared and waiting for that time.”