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For the first time this transfer window, the transfer activity in through the door at Birmingham City seems to have slowed down.

After all, in the space of just a week recently, Birmingham had managed to welcome in the likes of Demarai Gray, Tommy Doyle, Kyogo Furuhashi, and many other star names to the camp, with some calm perhaps now needed to balance the books appropriately.

Still, when it comes to Chris Davies and Co., there might well be another sublime addition just waiting around the corner at any moment, with Birmingham not giving up all hope just yet that they can resign this midfield ace very soon, among other targets being chased after.

Birmingham still pursuing move for EFL ace

Reports do seem to suggest that the Blues will have to move on some bodies to be able to finance some more high-profile captures, especially if they want to be successful in landing Hwang Hee-Chan up top.

It was recently revealed that Birmingham had their eye on the Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker, but the £14m fee required to win his services – on top of his potential steep wage costs – has rendered this a deal that will be difficult to get over the line right now.

There are more unwelcome obstacles in Birmingham’s way with other targets, too, with Kieran Dowell, who was expected to be surplus to requirements on his return to Rangers, now being utilised in pre-season under a fresh set of managerial ideas from Russell Martin.

A recent updated report from Birmingham Live does suggest that a permanent move could still be on the cards, with Davies once stating it would be “something we will have to look into” over arranging for the £16k-per-week star to come back to St. Andrew’s for good.

Whilst this has gone cold for the moment, Birmingham do have plenty of time on their hands to try and work out a deal, with Dowell perhaps a dream teammate for Kyogo to bounce off of as he grows accustomed to leading the line in the Championship.

Why Dowell could be a dream for Kyogo

Whilst the Japanese ace has proven himself to be a reliable goal machine in Scotland – as seen in his ridiculous tally of 85 strikes leading the line with venom for Celtic – he has never tested himself before in the challenging terrain of the EFL’s elite league.

Therefore, he could well be daunted by the prospect of having to be the Blues’ leading man here, particularly as he’s coming into Davies’ camp off the back of a barren spell in France with Rennes and the fact that he’s been purchased for a fee around the excessive £10m mark.

Those nerves would surely be quelled knowing he has the likes of such a reliable Championship playmaker in the form of Dowell by his side, with the second-tier veteran notching up a hefty 26 goals and 12 assists across his last 123 outings in the division. On top of that, 25 big chances have also been created, which will be music to the ears of a poacher-like forward in Kyogo.

At the height of his goalscoring powers at Celtic during the 2022/23 season, which saw him net a blistering 27 Scottish Premiership strikes, the potent 30-year-old would only need to average a mere 13.3 touches per league game to cause said widespread damage, meaning he should become even more prolific if he latches onto plenty of Dowell’s defence-splitting passes to come.

Whilst they used to be divided across enemy lines in Glasgow, both Dowell and Kyogo might well form a dream partnership in the West Midlands very soon, with Davies even going as far as to describe the 27-year-old as “high quality” last campaign when he popped up with four assists from just 17 League One starts.

He might well have only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of at St. Andrew’s with his promising loan stint, with the Championship more his bread and butter, as Birmingham aim to potentially bring him back to take their new division by storm.

He'd be Kyogo 2.0: Birmingham looking at incredible deal to sign £14m star

Birmingham City could seal another ambitious deal very soon.

3

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 15, 2025

تحدث قائد ليفربول، فيرجيل فان دايك، بعدما قاد فريقه لفوز مثير على أتلتيكو مدريد في الدقائق الأخيرة، ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، ليلة الأربعاء.

والتقى ليفربول وأتلتيكو مدريد على ملعب “آنفيلد” في الجولة الأولى لمرحلة الدوري ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكانت نتيجة المباراة تشير إلى تعادل إيجابي 2-2، وسجل فان دايك هدف فوز ليفربول في الدقيقة الثانية من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.

وقال فان دايك متحدثًا على قناة “TNT Sports”:”حاولنا وواصلنا الضغط من أجل تسجيل الهدف الثالث، لكننا استقبلنا هدف التعادل بعد كرة غيرت اتجاهها بشكل كبير وهذا لم يكن جيدًا”.

وأضاف: “ومع ذلك وجدنا طريقة للعودة، وكنا خطرين دائماً في الكرات الثابتة، يجب أن أقول إنهم كانوا عدوانيين للغاية، وأنا سعيد لأنني سجلت هدف الفوز”.

وأكد فان دايك: “إنهم فريق لا يستسلم أبدًا، ولديهم لاعبون أكفاء قادرون على معاقبتك إذا لم تكن حاضرًا في لحظة، وإذا تأخرت قليلًا، وهذا ما فعلوه عندما عاقبونا قبل نهاية الشوط الأول”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة ليفربول وأتلتيكو مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وأكمل: “بعد الاستراحة حاولنا تسجيل الهدف الثالث، لكنهم اكتسبوا بعض الثقة من هدفهم أيضًا، علينا أن نواصل القتال ونُظهر الصلابة التي اعتدنا إظهارها لسنوات، وكانت ليلة أوروبية رائعة أخرى هنا”.

وسُئل فان دايك هل يؤمن الفريق دائمًا بأنه سيجد طريقة، وأجاب: “أعتقد أننا أظهرنا مرارًا وتكرارًا أننا قادرون على تحقيق ذلك، كنت محظوظًا اليوم بتسجيل هدف الفوز، وسنمضي قدمًا”.

وبشأن أهداف ليفربول في الدقائق الأخيرة، علّق: “الأمر يتعلق بالإصرار، نحن لا نحب أن يحدث هذا كثيراً، نحن نفضل أن نسيطر على المباريات، لكننا نعمل على هذا الجانب، إنه عملية تحتاج إلى وقت، الهدف الأول كان من الممكن تفاديه، أما الهدف الثاني فكان فيه بعض الحظ لصالحهم”.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عالمية أن ليفربول لا ينوي إضاعة أي وقت في التعاقد مع خليفة النجم المصري الدولي محمد صلاح لحل محله في المستقبل.

ويستهدف آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول وريتشارد هيوز المدير الرياضي للنادي، التعاقد مع صفقة في الخط الهجومي خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية في يناير.

وبحسب “فوتبول ترانسفيرز” فإن محمد صلاح أصبح على وشك الرحيل عن ليفربول الصيف المقبل على الرغم من توقيعه على عقد لمدة عامين مع الريدز مؤخراً.

ويبلغ الدولي المصري حالياً 33 عاماً ويأتي بعد موسم يمكن القول إنه الأفضل له في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز كما ساهم في تسجيل هدف وصنع تمريرة حاسمة حتى الآن.

اقرأ أيضاً.. رافا بينيتيز يختار الأفضل بين محمد صلاح وكريستيانو رونالدو

ومع ذلك فإن هناك إجماعاً في ليفربول أن النادي سيتخلى عن أسطورته محمد صلاح في المستقبل القريب وقد تم بالفعل اختيار خليفته في ملعب آنفيلد.

وقد تم تحديد ماليك فوفانا جناح ليون الفرنسي حيث يعد اللاعب الذي يمكنه تعويض رحيل النجم المصري محمد صلاح على المدى الطويل.

ويبدو أن ليفربول حريص على الضغط على الدولي البلجيكي في يناير، ويريد مسؤولو الريدز إتمام الصفقة الآن للاستفادة من إمكانيات اللاعب.

ويدرك ليفربول أن المنافسة على خدمات فوفانا صاحب الـ20 عاماً ستكون قوية، وقد ترددت شائعات عن اهتمام تشيلسي وآرسنال بخدماته خلال الصيف الماضي.

وكان فوفانا قد رفض في وقت سابق إمكانية اللعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز حيث قال: “فكرت في الانتقال لكني أعتقد أن اللعب كثيراً الآن أهم وهذا يجب أن يحدث في ليون”.

Newcastle United are active in the hunt for reinforcements and internal discussions are ongoing at St James’ Park over a potential move for an exciting attacker, according to a report.

Newcastle United discover opening Premier League fixtures

The Premier League fixture schedule has landed ahead of the new campaign, and it is fair to say Magpies fans will be salivating over the prospect of their side being back in competitive action.

Facing Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Liverpool within their first few matches won’t be easy, but there will be plenty of confidence within the camp that a strong platform can be built ahead of another enthralling season.

With a trip to Villa Park first up, intrigue will start to grow over potential activity in the North East over the next couple of months. Simon Jordan believes Newcastle’s position of relative strength should be more of a talking point as they gear up to go to battle in the top-flight.

He stated: “I think the answer to the question is where is there not an intriguing story? Look around the league. Look at all the teams that are in there. Look at Newcastle.

“Newcastle are now in the Champions League. They have got the spending restrictions probably back into play now and they can go again hard.”

Joao Pedro has emerged as a key target for Newcastle in their mission to juggle domestic football and Champions League participation, with talks open over a move for the Brazil international.

Roma’s Evan Ndicka could join Howe’s revolution, but it appears that extending their pool of depth across the front four position has become the main priority for the Geordies if recent reports are anything to go by.

Newcastle discuss West Ham United man Mohammed Kudus

According to The Athletic, Newcastle have internally discussed a move for West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus amid uncertainty over his future at the London Stadium.

Previously, reports came to light detailing that Magpies owners PIF feel they can afford a swoop for Kudus as a cheaper alternative to Brentford star Bryan Mbuemo.

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The Ghana international has a release clause of around £75 million. However, it is widely acknowledged that he won’t move for as high a fee, and Newcastle appear to have taken encouragement due to the fact his name has been mentioned in the corridors of power.

Labelled “brilliant” by Graham Potter, Kudus registered five goals and four assists last campaign in 35 appearances across all competitions, which isn’t bad going given the Hammers endured a disappointing season.

Making his presence known in attack, the 24-year-old created 31 chances in the Premier League and fits the bill as a versatile attack-minded addition for Howe due to his ability to function on either flank or through the middle.

Newcastle’s targets are beginning to evolve this window and Kudus is now near the front of their mind amid his potential availability.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now submitted an opening bid for a defender who “never puts a foot wrong”, but there could be competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Wolves looking to kick on under Pereira

Vitor Pereira’s arrival last season marked a change in fortunes for Wolves, with the manager overseeing a major improvement in results, which meant relegation fears were quashed way before the business end of the season.

Pereira has stated he wants to “do better” next season, however, which means some new arrivals may be needed this summer, particularly with Matheus Cunha on his way to Manchester United, and there have been suggestions Nelson Semedo could follow the forward to Old Trafford.

Quite rightly, the manager may also be keen to strengthen his backline this summer, given that the Old Gold conceded the most goals of any side not to be relegated from the Premier League last season.

Club

Final position

Goals conceded

Tottenham Hotspur

17th

65

Wolves

16th

69

Manchester United

15th

54

West Ham United

14th

62

According to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), Wolves have now made an offer for Lazio defender Mario Gila, but there could be competition for his signature from their Premier League rivals, with Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion also keen.

Lazio’s failure to qualify for Europe could have a big impact on their summer transfer window, and there is now growing interest in Gila, with the Italian club looking to hold out for a fee of €50m (£42m) for his services.

However, the Old Gold only appear to be willing to fork out €35m (£29m) for the centre-back’s signature, so the two clubs remain some way apart at the moment, and he is thought to be keen on playing for a top club next season.

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ByRoss Kilvington May 25, 2025 Gila "never puts a foot wrong" in defence

Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare was full of praise for the Spanish defender upon signing him from Real Madrid, saying: “He is fast, intelligent and never puts a foot wrong. He can become one of the top 3-4 defenders in the world and it wouldn’t surprise me if Real wanted him back.”

The Barcelona-born defender has since emerged as a key player for Lazio, making 32 Serie A appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, and CBS’ Matteo Bonetti believes he could be in line for a move to a top club due to his “unique” profile.

As such, Gila could be a real coup for Wolves, but given that European football will not be on offer next season, it would be a surprise to see him move to Molineux.

It was remarkably just over six years ago that Marcus Rashford enjoyed one of the greatest moments of his Manchester United career, with the Englishman rifling home from the penalty spot to send Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The United academy graduate had been the undoing of Paris Saint-Germain with that last-gasp spot-kick, while he also netted again in the Parc des Princes during the 2020/21 campaign, to clinch another famous win for Solskjaer and co.

Something about the Ligue 1 side appears to bring the best out of the 27-year-old, it would seem, with the in-form forward having again been electric when facing off with the Parisien outfit – albeit this time in Aston Villa colours.

The Red Devils outcast put in a simply masterful display through the middle for Unai Emery’s side, having notably produced a breathtaking assist for Villa’s third of the night as the hosts flipped the encounter on its head. In truth, it was vintage Rashford.

Frustratingly for the Villans, they could not complete the comeback after bravely crashing out, while for those back in Manchester, such a fine individual display may have Ruben Amorim thinking twice over his decision to exile the £300k-per-week marksman.

But would a return to Old Trafford really be in the best interest of all parties this summer?

Why Rashford still needs to be sold this summer

As far as Rashford is concerned, the decision to make the move to Villa Park back in February could hardly have gone better, with the Midlands side also still in the mix for a top five finish in the Premier League, while having also reached the last four of the FA Cup.

The polarising sensation has been central to Emery’s plans in recent months, with the assist for Ezri Konsa last night taking his total tally to nine goal involvements in just 15 appearances since making the move. Jesse Lingard at West Ham United anyone?

Free from the shackles and the scrutiny of being a Manchester United player, Rashford has looked reborn in claret and blue, with Tuesday night seeing him create four big chances in total – more than any other player on the pitch.

That display backed up Emery’s decision to once again select his loan star ahead of compatriot, Ollie Watkins, in the centre-forward berth, with the Villans boasting attacking depth that Amorim can only dream of – not least with Joshua Zirkzee now sidelined with injury.

Speaking on Amazon Prime, United legend Wayne Rooney suggested that he would “love” to see Rashford back playing for the Red Devils next season, while also claiming that the player himself “wants” to be back at the Theatre of Dreams.

That said, it was only in December that the England international outlined his desire for a “new challenge” after being given the cold shoulder by Amorim, with it difficult to see any form of reconciliation occurring ahead of next season.

Indeed, having found his groove at Villa, why would Rashford risk enduring another stop-start campaign back at his parent club – not least considering three of the last four seasons have been rather underwhelming for him in a United shirt.

As for the club itself, the chance to rake in a £40m fee from Villa – a deal that would represent pure profit – is no doubt difficult to turn down, with it perhaps best for everyone that a permanent separation occurs this summer.

That said, even if Amorim and co do change their mind, at least they have only opted to loan out Rashford thus far, with the option of a homecoming still on the table. The same can’t be said for everyone that INEOS have let go…

Man Utd may have made a bigger mistake than Rashford

It appears to be a growing theme that players who have left Old Trafford have gone on to shine elsewhere, albeit with the club having largely been correct in moving those players on.

Indeed, in the case of Anthony Elanga, the Swedish speedster had scored just four goals in 55 games for United prior to departing for Nottingham Forest. David de Gea, meanwhile, was public enemy number one for his mistake in the FA Cup final, before being allowed to leave for nothing.

Equally, the likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho – now on loan at Real Betis and Chelsea – had hardly pulled up any trees following their £86m and £73m arrivals, respectively, with the pair netting just 24 goals between them in 179 games.

Even Rashford had endured a miserable 18 months after scoring just 15 goals for United following the start of the 2023/24 campaign, with few of a Red Devils persuasion having contested with any of those exits at the time.

In the case of Scott McTominay, however, it may well be a different story, with the Scotland star having actually been one of Erik ten Hag’s key men last term, before sealing a £25m move to Napoli over the summer.

Indeed, the 28-year-old was the Dutchman’s rescue act having repeatedly delivered the goods in an attacking sense, with the rampaging midfielder – who notably netted a brace at the death against Brentford – ending the season with ten goals to his name in all competitions.

The joint third-highest scorer for United in the end in 2023/24, McTominay appeared to be thriving in an advanced midfield berth, albeit with the desire to meet PSR regulations – and the pursuit of fellow midfielder, Manuel Ugarte – leading to INEOS deciding to cash in.

Ten Hag has since admitted that he “didn’t want” to sell the 6 foot 4 giant, yet was almost “forced” into agreeing to the decision due to the club’s financial constraints.

As it is, McTominay has gone on to dazzle in Naples in 2024/25 to date, with the midfield “monster” – as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson – notably netting twice last time out to keep Antonio Conte’s side in title contention.

Those latest strikes – both of which were assisted by Romelu Lukaku, no less – showcased just what the Lancaster-born hero is all about. Indeed, for his first of the night, McTominay charged from deep before curling home from outside the area. For his second, the ex-Red Devil expertly headed home after towering above the Empoli defence.

The emerging Naples sensation now has eight Serie A goals to his name this season, with only Bruno Fernandes able to match that tally for league goals back in Manchester.

McTominay is then picking up where he left off last term, with INEOS having made a rare move for United by selling a player who was actually in form – unlike the exiled Rashford.

With the Red Devils now in the midst of their worst-ever Premier League campaign, that bold call doesn’t appear to have aged well…

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By
Robbie Walls

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Liverpool miss Roberto Firmino. The attacking maestro was one of the most unique Premier League stars in the business, so selfless and dynamic as he pulled Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s strings.

He won it all, the full gamut, but Firmino, now 33, left for the Saudi Pro League when his contract expired in 2023. Anfield’s frontline has never quite been the same.

His replacement, Darwin Nunez, 25, has failed to live up to the lofty price tag and appears set to depart himself this summer, so addressing the issue at number nine is now one of the most pressing concerns for FSG’s sporting director Richard Hughes.

Luckily, Liverpool have registered their interest in the perfect heir to Firmino’s one-time place in the line-up after a huge development.

Latest as Liverpool chase new forward

As per Football Insider, Liverpool are monitoring Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Brazil international is hoping for a change of scenery and is believed to have been identified by FSG as the perfect replacement for the outgoing Nunez.

Cunha has been transparent in his desire to leave Molineux for pastures new this summer, though it’s unlikely the Old Gold will allow him to leave for anything less than the £62.5m release clause inserted into his new contract, signed last month.

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That would place the in-demand star among the most expensive signings of the FSG era, behind only that of Darwin Nunez (£86m) and Virgil van Dijk (£75m), as well as ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai’s £60m capture.

Liverpool's new Firmino

The longing for Firmino in all his pomp has remained strong over the past several years. Nunez has hardly nailed down the number nine spot and indeed faces an exit in the coming months to close a largely disappointing stint on Merseyside.

But in Cunha, Liverpool could find a dynamic and multi-faceted new forward to restore their frontline to the top of its game. Salah can’t do it all alone, you see, and his haul of 32 this year actually accounts for 30% of his side’s goals in all competitions.

Cunha, who can play as a centre-forward or off the left flank, could certainly help such matters, having scored 15 goals and laid on four assists for relegation-threatened Wolves this term.

Below, we’ve put together a table comparing Cunha’s metrics in the Premier League this season against Firmino’s during the 2019/20 campaign, when Liverpool last won the top-flight title.

Goals scored

0.55

0.27

Assists

0.17

0.24

Total shots

3.61

2.98

Shot-creating actions

4.12

3.43

Progressive passes

4.70

3.34

Progressive carries

3.86

2.71

Successful take-ons

2.06

1.57

Ball recoveries

4.62

4.10

Tackles + interceptions

2.02

1.33

BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards said it best: “His football IQ is absolutely sensational. He’s the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times.”

Now you see the similarities, now you see that Cunha could be Cunha reborn on Merseyside. Both players encapsulate a range of areas that leave them a cut above the majority of their positional rivals.

Anfield has already been treated to Cunha’s expertise this term, the Brazilian scoring an absolute pearler in the anxiety-inducing meeting between the sides in February, Liverpool only just hanging on to their win.

It was a lovely goal, but the comparisons between Cunha and his countryman Firmino are found more accurately through shared silkiness on the ball, deft movements and sharp intelligence that merge together to create a truly special skill set.

Having also won 5.7 duels per game this year, as per Sofascore, and created 12 big chances for his teammates, the 25-year-old could be the next big thing at Anfield, playing centrally to feed the likes of Salah and Cody Gakpo while wreaking havoc himself.

An “incredible” player, as per former boss Gary O’Neil, Cunha won’t come cheap, but Liverpool could revive the spirit of Firmino with this signing, and FSG need to get it done.

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Records tumbled as Sri Lanka and South Africa played out 127 scoreless balls between them

Sampath Bandarupalli03-Jun-202477 – Sri Lanka’s total against South Africa in their Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash in New York is their lowest in men’s T20Is. Their previous lowest was 82 all out against India in 2016 in Vishakhapatnam.It is also the lowest total by any team against South Africa in men’s T20Is. The previous lowest was Afghanistan’s 80 all out during the 2010 T20 World Cup.7 – Runs conceded by Anrich Nortje on Monday, the fewest by a bowler completing their four-over quota in the Men’s T20 World Cup. The previous fewest was eight runs, by three bowlers – Ajantha Mendis (vs Zimbabwe in 2012), Mahmudullah (vs Afghanistan in 2014) and Wanindu Hasaranga (vs UAE in 2022).Related

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Nortje also conceded the fewest runs by a South Africa bowler in their four overs in a men’s T20I.3 – Hauls of four or more wickets for Nortje in T20 World Cups, the joint-most by any bowler at the tournament, alongside Saeed Ajmal and Shakib Al Hasan.4 for 7 – Nortje’s figures are the best for South Africa at the Men’s T20 World Cup, bettering his own record of 4 for 10 against Bangladesh in 2022.Nortje’s figures are also the best by any bowler against Sri Lanka in the men’s T20 World Cup and the third-best in all men’s T20Is against them.Most dots in a men’s T20 WC match•ESPNcricinfo Ltd20 – Dot balls bowled by Ottniel Baartman, the joint-most by a bowler in a Men’s T20 World Cup game. Kemar Roach bowled 20 dot balls against Ireland in 2010, while Ajantha Mendis did the same during his six-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in 2012. Baartman’s 20 dots are also the most for South Africa in a men’s T20I.1 – Nortje and Baartman became the first pair to concede less than ten runs apiece in an innings at the Men’s T20 World Cup (while bowling their full quota of four overs).Only twice before have a pair of bowlers from Full Member teams done this in men’s T20Is – Chris Mpofu and Ray Price for Zimbabwe against Canada in 2008, and Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra for New Zealand against Bangladesh in 2021.11 – T20 World Cup matches played by Nortje, taking at least one in each. It is now the longest wicket-taking spree for any bowler in the Men’s T20 World Cup. Nortje bettered Ashish Nehra, who has taken at least one wicket in all ten T20 World Cup matches.4.42 – The scoring rate in this South Africa vs Sri Lanka match was the lowest for a Men’s T20 World Cup game (min: 150 balls). None of the previous 252 T20 World Cup matches lasting 25-plus overs finished with a run rate below five an over.127 – Dot balls played out on Monday were the most for a Men’s T20 World Cup match. The previous highest was 123 dots in the 2007 game between South Africa and India, and by Oman and Namibia during last night’s tie.Sri Lanka’s batters played out 72 of the 127 dots, the joint-most by a team in a Men’s T20 World Cup game, alongside Afghanistan against England in 2012.

Pant added 222 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the sixth wicket to lift India from 98 for 5

Sampath Bandarupalli01-Jul-2022222 Partnership runs between Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. It is India’s joint-highest partnership for the sixth or a lower wicket in Tests from a team total of less than 100 runs. Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar added 222 runs for the sixth wicket against South Africa in 1996 from a team score of 58 for 5.1 The 222-run partnership by Pant and Jadeja is India’s joint-highest stand for the sixth or a lower wicket in an away Test. Azharuddin and Tendulkar’s partnership of 222 runs against South Africa also came away from home – in Cape Town.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 Number of pairs in Test cricket with two double century stands for the sixth and lower wickets, including Pant and Jadeja. They added 204 for the seventh wicket against Australia in the 2019 Sydney Test.4 out of five centuries by Pant in Test cricket have come outside Asia. Only two India batters had more Test 100s outside Asia before turning 25 – seven by Sachin Tendulkar and five by Sunil Gavaskar.89 Balls taken by Pant for his hundred. It is the second-fastest century for India in Test cricket in England. The fastest is by Azharuddin, who needed 87 balls for his hundred at the Lord’s in 1990.131.53 Pant’s strike rate during his 111-ball 146. It is the second-fastest century for India in terms of strike rate in Test cricket. Azharuddin had a strike rate of 141.55 during his 77-ball 109 against South Africa in the 1996 Kolkata Test.ESPNcricinfo Ltd93 Balls needed for MS Dhoni to bring up his century against Pakistan in 2006 in Faisalabad, the fastest century by an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests, before Pant’s effort in Birmingham. It was the first of the six Test hundreds for Dhoni, the only player with more Test hundreds as an India wicketkeeper than Pant (5).87.5 Pant’s average while batting at No .5 in Test cricket. Across the seven innings Pant has batted at this position, he’s scored 525 runs with a century and four fifties, all at a strike rate of 98.68.161.53 Pant’s batting strike rate in Tests against Jack Leach. He has scored 147 runs off 91 balls against the left-arm spinner, all while being dismissed once. Since the start of 2002, only one batter has had 100-plus runs against a bowler in Tests, at a higher strike rate than Pant – 175.00 by Shahid Afridi against Irfan Pathan (147 off 84 balls).

Angels owner Arte Moreno is reportedly eyeing franchise legend Albert Pujols as the team's next manager, according to a report from Sam Blum, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of

Pujols, who played 10 of his 22 years in Los Angeles, remains on the team's payroll on a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract that was inked as part of the $240 million deal that he signed with the Angels before the 2012 season.

Pujols has assisted the team in Spring Training over the last few seasons and has also worked in the Dominican Republic for the organization's prospect academy.

Pujols told reporters last March that he would be interested in managing at some point.

"Yeah, I think. Why not? I think if the opportunity is right one day, I think I'll be ready for that," Pujols said.

Perhaps the time is now for Pujols to take over the reigns from Ron Washington, who was let go earlier this week.