Crystal Palace battling UCL giants in January race for gem in Olise repeat

Having lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich in the summer, Crystal Palace have now reportedly joined the race to seal a repeat of what proved to be one of their best signings from Reading.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles could certainly do with reinforcements after enduring such a disastrous start to the campaign. Victory over Tottenham Hotspur – their first of the season – before a point against Wolverhampton Wanderers at least took Oliver Glasner’s side within a point of Premier League safety, but the pressure is still certainly on ahead of squaring off against an impressive Aston Villa side in their first game back from the international break.

What certainly didn’t help in the summer was the departure of Olise. Bayern Munich swooped and lured Palace’s star man away from Selhurst Park – a star man that they arguably failed to replace with suitable options.

Whether that changes in the January transfer window remains to be seen, but the Eagles look set to at least go back down the same route that saw them land such a talented player in the first place.

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According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now battling a number of Champions League sides to sign Andre Garcia from Reading in what would almost be a repeat of their deal to sign Olise from the Royals back in 2021.

With Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur standing alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen in a hectic race, however, Palace may need to act quickly if they are to sneak in and sign the 16-year-old left-back.

Of course, convincing Garcia to turn down such interest will be a difficult selling point, but what Palace may be able to offer over their Premier League and European rivals is a quicker route into their first team.

"Incredible" Garcia could follow Olise path

Palace aren’t afraid to dip into the Football League for reinforcements. After all, Eberechi Eze arrived from Queens Park Rangers, Adam Wharton joined from Blackburn Rovers and Olise, of course, from Reading – just to name a few who have enjoyed great success at Selhurst Park. Now, they could turn to League One and a star in the making in Garcia.

Ebere Eze against Manchester United

Just 16 years old, the left-back is already making significant strides in senior football, starting six of Reading’s 11 League One games so far this season and earning the praise of club legend Mick Gooding, who told BBC Radio Berkshire via The Boot Room: “To be 16 and playing the way he is playing is incredible.

“What a future he has got, and it’s in his hands if he listens and works hard. He has got pace, great feet. You can see he is really enjoying what he is doing, not fazed by it.

“He has got an incredible future, should he decide that it is what he wants to do. [Garcia must] work hard, stay humble and do the right things. He can go wherever he wants.”

ممدوح عباس عن تعديل عقوبات الأهلي: قرار "غبي".. ورئيس الرابطة لا يعلم شيئًا

فتح ممدوح عباس، رئيس نادي الزمالك الأسبق، النار على رابطة الأندية المصرية، معترضًا على قرارها الأخير بإلغاء عقوبة خصم النقاط من الأهلي في نهاية الموسم، مع الإبقاء على احتساب فوز الزمالك في مباراة القمة، مشككًا في طريقة إصدار القرار وتوقيته.

وكتب عباس عبر حسابه الرسمي على منصة “إكس”، متسائلًا عن تفاصيل الاجتماع الذي أُقر خلاله هذا التعديل: “أين محضر الاجتماع؟ وأين اجتمعوا؟ أعلم أن أغلبهم سافر لقضاء إجازة العيد، فما هو وجه الاستعجال الذي يدفعهم لإصدار هذا القرار الغبي في يوم إجازة رسمية؟”.

وأضاف بلهجة حادة: “هناك فرق بين الضلال والفحش والفُجر، لكن الثلاثة اجتمعوا في هذا القرار من رابطة الأندية”.

طالع أيضًا | خاص | الزمالك يدرس التكاتف مع بيراميدز ضد تعديل عقوبات الأهلي.. وقرار بالتصعيد

وتابع هجومه قائلًا: “إذا كان رئيس الرابطة لا يعلم شيئًا عن القرار، فلماذا يجلس على رأسها وهي تصول وتجول دون علمه؟ وفي النهاية.. من أنتم؟ من أنتم؟ من أنتم؟”.

وتعود الأزمة إلى قرار رابطة الأندية باعتبار الزمالك فائزًا بمباراة القمة، بعد غياب الأهلي عن الموعد المحدد، وفقًا للوائح، وهو ما أدى إلى خصم ثلاث نقاط من رصيد الأهلي في نهاية الموسم، مثلما حدث مع الزمالك في موقف مشابه الموسم الماضي.

إلا أن الرابطة تراجعت وقررت إلغاء خصم النقاط، ما أثار اعتراض الزمالك، إلى جانب بيراميدز، الذي رأى أن القرار يخل بمبدأ تكافؤ الفرص، خاصة أن الفارق النقطي قد يؤثر على ترتيب جدول الدوري والمنافسة على اللقب.

All-round Nahidul Islam sneaks Comilla Victorians past Sylhet Sunrisers in low-scoring thriller

Nahidul picked up two wickets before scoring 16, as Victorians were made to work hard by Sunrisers

Mohammad Isam22-Jan-2022

Nahidul Islam made an impressive return to Comilla Victorians after six years•AFP/Getty Images

Comilla Victorians crawled to a two-wicket win in a low-scoring game against Sylhet Sunrisers in Mirpur. The match ended when Kesrick Williams bowled two wides, as Victorians needed two runs off nine balls with two wickets in hand. Victorians’ Nahidul Islam was adjudged Player of the Match after he followed his two wickets with 16 runs.Sunrisers’ left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam took three wickets, while offspinners Sohag Gazi and captain Mosaddek Hossain got two each. However, all their effort went in vain. Despite Victorians slipping to 88 for 8 in the 17th over, Mahidul Islam and Tanvir Islam, unbeaten on 9 and 3 respectively, got the job done.Big hit
Sohag Gazi, out of the national side’s reckoning for five years, removed Victorians’ openers Faf du Plessis and Cameron Delport, before Mosaddek had Mominul Haque and Imrul Kayes caught on the off side. Karim Janat and Nahidul then added 27 runs for the sixth wicket, but both fell to Nazmul.Janat holed out at deep cover, while Nahidul gave Colin Ingram a simple catch at point. When Ravi Bopara took a tumbling catch at long-on to dismiss Shohidul Islam, Victorians were in trouble. With six required off the last two overs, Williams bowled a poor 19th over to hand victory to Victorians.Earlier, Sunrisers had batted similarly when they lost their top order early. Ingram fell to a miscued pull off seamer Shohidul for 20, giving Victorians control with the ball. Offspinner Nahidul bowled his four overs in one go, taking 2 for 20, as he made an impressive return to Victorians’ colours after six years.Left-arm spinner Tanvir followed it up with more control, taking 1 for 10 from his four overs. It encouraged Victorians captain Kayes to bring on the part-timer Mominul who removed Bopara. Mustafizur Rahman and Shohidul then completed the formalities, bowling Sunrisers out for 96 in 19.1 overs.Big miss
Several of Bangladesh’s batting stars had a poor outing in this game. Sunrisers’ Anamul Haque, Mohammad Mithun and captain Mosaddek got out for single digits. Nahidul removed both Anamul, who lost his balance while trying to cut the ball, and Mithun, who was caught at point. Mosaddek gave Ariful Haque an easy catch at slip.Kayes swung and missed a couple of balls before hitting one to cover. Mominul holed out to short third man. du Plessis, billed as the BPL’s biggest star this season, also fell for a single-digit score when Gazi had him caught-and-bowled for 2.

الاتحاد الموريتاني يوضح تفاصيل الاستعدادات لاستضافة مباراة الأهلي والهلال السوداني

كشف باب أحمد سيدي مدير المنشآت بالاتحاد الموريتاني لكرة القدم، عن آخر الاستعدادات الخاصة قبل مباراة الأهلي والهلال السوداني، والتي ستجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ومن المقرر أن تقام مباراة الأهلي مع الهلال السوداني، غدا الثلاثاء، على ملعب شيخا ولد بيديا بدولة موريتانيا، في إطار منافسات إياب دور ربع النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال باب أحمد سيدي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر القناة الأولى: “جاهزون لاستقبال المباراة الكبيرة بين الأهلي نادي القرن والهلال السوداني، كل التجهيزات الفنية والأمنية على ما يرام”.

وأكمل: “أرضية الملعب من أحسن أنواع النجيل الصناعي، وسبق ولعب عليها منتخب مصر أمام موريتانيا، والملعب يسع لـ 5600 متفرج”.

طالع | فورموسينيو: الهلال الأقرب للفوز على الأهلي غدًا.. وأتمنى العودة للدوري المصري

واختتم: “الهلال السوداني طلب حضور 3000 مُشجع فقط، نظرًا لعدم وجود جالية سودانية كبيرة في موريتانيا، وكذلك بالنسبة للجالية المصرية”.

وكان الأهلي قد فاز في مباراة الذهاب بهدف وحيد سجله محمد هاني، في المباراة التي أقيمت على أرضية استاد القاهرة، ضمن لقاءات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Philipe Sampaio define chegada ao Botafogo como sonho: 'Uma honra vestir essa camisa'

MatériaMais Notícias

O primeiro reforço da era John Textor chegou. Philipe Sampaio foi anunciado como jogador do Botafogo na tarde desta quarta-feira. O defensor assinou contrato por três anos com o Alvinegro. Nas redes sociais, o jogador de 27 anos não escondeu a felicidade.

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+ Em carta de despedida do Botafogo, Freeland agradece jogadores, torcida e diretoria: ‘Vocês foram fantásticos’

–É um orgulho e uma honra vestir a camisa do Botafogo. Estou muito feliz com essa oportunidade na minha carreira e farei o meu melhor sempre pelo clube! Que Deus me abençoe nesse novo desafio… Vamos Fogão!! – escreveu, em publicação no Instagram.

Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW

Com passagem pelas categorias de base do Santos, Philipe terá a primeira experiência na categoria profissional no futebol brasileiro. Ele estava no Guingamp, da França.

–Glória a Deus por tudo. Depois de 9 anos fora volto ao meu país pela porta de um gigante, o Botafogo. Obrigado à minha família, Jéssica (esposa) e as pessoas que cuidaram de tudo para eu realizar esse sonho – completou.

West Ham "look set" to move for Euro 2024 star in £17 million striker

West Ham United look set to move for a Euro 2024 star in a £17 million striker, with Julen Lopetegui’s side widely believed to be on the hunt for a new forward in January.

West Ham exploring January market amid Fullkrug woes

Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations after his 16-goal haul for Borussia Dortmund in all competitions last season.

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In what is ultimately out of the German’s control, Fullkrug has unfortunately been sidelined with a persistent Achilles tendon injury, with the 31-year-old unable to justify his price tag and yet to get off the mark as a result.

In his pre-Arsenal press conference on Thursday, Lopetegui shared the news that Fullkrug could return within the next two to three matches for West Ham, but the Spaniard also refused to confirm an official comeback timeline.

West Ham’s next five Premier League matches

Date

Arsenal (home)

November 30

Leicester City (away)

December 3

Wolves (home)

December 9

Bournemouth (away)

December 16

Brighton (home)

December 21

“I hope he is in the last part of his recovery,” said Lopetegui on Fullkrug’s fitness in his press conference on Thursday afternoon.

“Let’s see if he’ll be ready in the next two or three matches. I don’t know exactly, but he feels better. Now he has to prove his fitness because he’s not easy being out for three months. We’re going to help him. I don’t want to give a timeframe, but he’s closer.”

It has been a desperately unlucky start to his career in east London – West Ham reportedly think their deal for Fullkrug has “backfired” (GiveMeSport) – leading technical director Tim Steidten and co to explore the January market for short-term striker options.

Niclas Fullkrug for West Ham

Football Transfers has reported this week that West Ham are in contact with Napoli over signing Giovanni Simeone as a potential winter target. Meanwhile, The Telegraph suggests that Evan Ferguson is an option for Lopetegui in a loan deal from Brighton.

Republic of Ireland international Ferguson once commanded a £100 million price tag and is regarded by some as one of England’s rising star forwards, so securing a temporary deal for him could be quite an enticing prospect for West Ham mid-season.

West Ham "look set" to move for Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze

According to Spanish media reports, £17 million Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze is now back on their agenda ahead of January, with the Ligue 1 giants in a very tough spot financially and handed a provisional relegation to the French second tier.

Understandably, elite clubs are looking to poach Lyon’s star players and take advantage of their dire situation, with Arsenal thought to be in the mix for “unbelievable” Lyon forward Rayan Cherki – who they could capture for just £25 million (Dean Jones).

The Hammers are no exception, as it is now reported that West Ham “look set” to hand Mikautadze a route to British football.

There were rumours in the summer that West Ham made a bid for Mikautadze, so this could be one to watch, even if the Georgian hasn’t exactly set the world alight this season.

However, he did finish Euro 2024 as the tournament’s joint-top scorer, bagging three goals in four games for his country. Mikautadze was also FC Metz’s Player of the Year in 2023, after the striker finished the 2022/23 campaign as their top scorer with 23 strikes in Ligue 2.

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Amelia Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu dismantle timid India

New Zealand rebound from their opening-day loss to notch up two successive wins

Annesha Ghosh10-Mar-2022

Amelia Kerr gets a bear hug from Katey Martin•ICC via Getty Images

New Zealand 260 for 9 (Satterthwaite 75, A Kerr 50, Vastrakar 4-34) beat India 198 (Kaur 71, Tahuhu 3-17, A Kerr 3-56) by 62 runs
After their opening-day loss to West Indies, New Zealand have now bounced back to win two in a row. Their latest, by 62 runs over India in Hamilton, came on the back of impressive half-centuries from Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr.Amelia also took a three-for with the ball, as did Lea Tahuhu, with India folding in 46.4 overs without even threatening to make a fist of their chase. Only Harmanpreet Kaur stood tall amid a collapse. She made 63-ball 71 before being the eighth Indian wicket to fall. For New Zealand, this was a continuation of their domination over India, who were beaten 4-1 in a bilateral ODI series last month.Just like in the previous game at the venue, between Australia and England that yielded 608 runs, Thursday’s fresh surface encouraged stroke-making. Satterthwaite led the charge with the bat, adding two vital fifty stands – with Amelia and Maddy Green – and a 49-run fifth-wicket partnership with Katey Martin.India’s decision to bowl – seemingly mindful of dew, which didn’t eventually play much part in the proceedings – didn’t pay off. New Zealand posted 51 for 1 in the powerplay, with just the loss of Suzie Bates. The former captain, who made 78 in the previous game, enjoyed the rub of the green early as a thick edge off Meghana Singh flew over the slips.Three balls later, though, a drop-and-run call from Devine had non-striker Bates run out for the second time in three innings, thanks to a superb direct hit at the wicketkeeper’s end by Vastrakar from cover.Captain Sophie Devine then launched a minimal-risk offensive, punishing the slightest width on offer and erroneous lengths without breaking a sweat. She clubbed two back-to-back fours in Meghna’s second over. Two more, off consecutive deliveries, came in the next over, this time off Jhulan Goswami.First-change, left-arm spinner Gayakwad then came agonisingly close to providing further inroads when she drew Kerr into the sweep when she was on 7, but Yastika Bhatia, who replaced Shafali Verma in the XI, shelled what was a tough chance at deep square leg.New Zealand had just lost the set Sophie Devine, in the 11th over, when Satterthwaite walked in. A run-a-ball 67-run third-wicket stand between her and Amelia then helped the hosts dictate terms. Amelia then brought up her maiden World Cup fifty, and her fifth on the bounce against India.Kerr, however, was trapped lbw soon after by Gayakwad. The onus then fell on Satterthwaite to take the hosts to a formidable total. And she delivered, with a fluent 75, at a ground she averages at over 104. Her nine fours, 31 singles, and four twos helped keep the run rate above four through the major part of her stay in the middle as India struggled to tighten the scoring areas against the left-hander.Martin’s innovations helped keep New Zealand’s scoring rate up in the initial part of the final 10 overs. With Satterthwaite she added 49 for the fifth wicket as the home team set themselves up for a 250-plus score.Vastrakar oscillated between extraordinary and sloppy in the field, conceding a four through her legs and then dropping Martin on 27 after handing India an early advantage with Bates’ run out. She rounded out her outing with a flurry of wicket-taking yorkers, and Goswami India’s with a five-run over where she bowled Martin to become the joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI World Cups.Harmanpreet Kaur thrilled fans briefly with a counter-attack after her half-century•AFP via Getty Images

India never quite looked the part to mount New Zealand a challenge in the chase. Dot-ball pressure induced opener Smriti Mandhana’s early dismissal to Jess Kerr, and the fall of No. 3 Deepti Sharma then saw them post their lowest ODI powerplay total since the start of 2017 (rain-interrupted matches excluded): 26 for 2. Bhatia’s promotion to the opening spot on World Cup debut, too, didn’t bring the desired results as she could manage only a 59-ball 28.Inside 20 overs, India’s top three – all left-handers – were back in the hut; Tahuhu, sensational with her mix of cutters, short balls and stock deliveries under lights, took out two of them: Deepti and Bhatia. Under a pile of pressure, India required 211 runs from 30 overs. Mithali Raj, dropped on 6 by Mackay off Tahuhu, and Harmanpreet Kaur reduced the deficit with a fourth-wicket 47 stand.India had only just begun staging a fightback when Amelia Kerr dented them further with a double-wicket third over. Raj was stumped off an orthodox legbreak and Ghosh lost the top of her offstump with a ripping wrong-un.On a hat-trick, Kerr brought five close-in fielders in but a loose delivery to the under-siege Sneh Rana meant the eventful over ended with an anticlimactic four. Not long after, off the final ball of her outing, did Tahuhu take out Rana, rounding out her exemplary returns with 10-2-17-3.Kaur’s late burst had an element of futility about it from the get-go given the required run rate had ballooned to over 10 by the 37th over. She strung a seventh-wicket 35 stand with Goswami but the prospect of a come-from-behind win for India was quashed when Amelia had Kaur caught at long-off.

Bolsonaro quer Rodolfo Landim, presidente do Flamengo, para comandar o Conselho da Petrobras

MatériaMais Notícias

Presidente do Flamengo desde 2019 e reeleito recentemente,Rodolfo Landimestá sendo cotado para assumir a presidência do conselho de administração da Petrobras. A informação é do colunista Lauro Jardim, de “O Globo”, e foi publicada neste sábado.

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O governo de Jair Bolsonaro teria o mandatário rubro-negro, engenheiro e ex-diretor com carreira gabaritada no ramo petroleiro como o principal nome para substituir o almirante Eduardo Bacellar Leal Ferreira, cujo encargo está perto do fim.

Vale lembrar que Landim foi presidente da BR Distribuidora no primeiro mandato doex-presidente Lula.O anúncio oficial da indicação está previsto para acontecer nesta segunda-feira.

Ainda de acordo com a coluna, em meados de janeiro, o presidente do Flamengo e o ministro de Minas e Energia, Bento Albuquerque, se reuniram no Rio de Janeiro para debater a possível ida de Landim para a Petrobras.

> Amanhã tem clássico! Veja a tabela do Cariocão

Até o momento, Rodolfo Landim não se manifestou a respeito da hipótese.

Chelsea now telling clubs they’ll sell £100,000-a-week forward in January

Chelsea have now informed teams that they are willing to let one member of their squad leave as early as the January transfer window as they look to streamline Enzo Maresca’s ranks.

Chelsea flying high

Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca is effectively working with two different XIs at Stamford Bridge in the early parts of the season, but the bizzare set up has proved successful so far. The former Leicester City man has a Premier League XI, which consists of his favoured players, while those who he feels are not up to scratch are part of a completely different XI that take part in the UEFA Conference League, with very little overlap between the two.

The positives of such a system were on full show against Aston Villa, where Chelsea looked fresher than their opponents and outplayed Unai Emery’s out of form side on their way to a 3-0 win and three points.

Both had midweek European commitments, but Villa had not been able to rotate against Juventus, while Chelsea’s first XI enjoyed a rest on Thursday night by contrast.

It remains to be seen whether the situation will bear fruit in the long run, with question marks about what might happen if they reach the final stages of the Conference League or the Champions League next season, where Maresca will want his strongest side on show.

It has already led to murmurs of discontent too, with Christopher Nkunku reportedly unhappy with his role in the “B” team at Stamford Bridge. And now, another member could be cast aside in January.

"Very good" forward could leave midseason

That comes as a fresh report has revealed that Chelsea are now ready to part ways with Mykhailo Mudryk this winter, and have already informed potential suitors. The Ukrainian international has flattered to deceive since arriving at Chelsea in a mammoth deal two years ago, and has managed just one Premier League start so far this season.

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He was among those labelled “very good” by Enzo Maresca for his recent performance against Heidenheim though, with the Italian explaining: “I think it is difficult to find players that tonight did not play well. All of them did very good. This is what we need.”

However, there had been previous claims that he would be able to leave on loan in January, and now Caught Offside claim that the Blues “have made it clear to clubs that Mykhailo Mudryk is set to be made available”, either on loan or permanently.

Mykhailo Mudryk at Chelsea (All competitions)

Appearances

73

Starts

40

Goals

10

Assists

9

Yellow Cards

9

Minutes per goal/assist

190

It is added that “Chelsea would also be open to selling Mudryk, but for now it seems a loan is the most likely outcome”, with the forward still having a mammoth six and a half years left to run on his £100,000 a week deal at Stamford Bridge.

In terms of suitors, it is claimed that both Newcastle and Crystal Palace are keeping an eye on the situation as they look to bolster their frontlines.

Maresca has already shown he is willing to be ruthless by sidelining Ben Chilwell, and now could be set to offload one of Chelsea’s major signings under Todd Boehly.

Mohammad Rizwan helps Multan Sultans ace chase of 175 to secure top-two finish

Karachi Kings guaranteed to finish bottom of the table after eighth straight defeat

Danyal Rasool16-Feb-2022

Mohammad Rizwan scored 76 off 56•PSL

They might have left it a bit late, but the inevitable could not be thwarted. Multan Sultans, almost certain to top the table now, edged past Karachi Kings, guaranteed to finish bottom, in the final over, sealing a seven-wicket victory. In pursuit of 175, they were only trudging along at seven an over with five to go, with the asking rate at 14. But 71 runs in the last 27 balls – the last six a dashing flourish over square leg by Rilee Rossouw – condemned the Kings to their eighth successive defeat, at the same time ensuring the Sultans will get two bites at the cherry in their bid to qualify for the PSL final.In the end, Karachi might blame a mystifying approach to the first innings, particularly the first ten overs. Only 57 came off the first nine, with vaunted power hitter Sharjeel Khan struggling badly, managing just 21 off his first 29 balls. With Babar Azam falling for just 2 off four, it was down to the middle order to salvage a respectable total for their side.Sharjeel belatedly clicked into gear and was good for a couple of sixes, but hadn’t nearly undone the damage he had caused in a somnambulant stroll of an innings when Khushdil Shah struck to remove him with just his second ball. The Kings seemed well off the pace until the last seven overs, and needed cameos from Rohail Nazir and Imad Wasim – who smashed an unbeaten 32 off 16 balls – to get the 174 they eventually did finish with, the late surge thanks coming courtesy of 75 runs in the final seven overs.The Sultans innings looked, for the most part, very much like the batting effort of a side that already knew it was through to the next round. Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood appeared content to strike at just over a run-a-ball, prioritising preserving wickets on a pitch that didn’t look quite as free-scoring as some in this tournament have. The free-flowing Masood was reined in for much of his innings, and would admit in a post-match interview he feared he had “messed up” the chase as the asking rate climbed inexorably and the Sultans’ power-hitters sat in the dugout where they could do little damage.It was only after Masood holed out to the deep-cover boundary that the game really moved into the next phase. Rizwan’s best instincts came alive, and all of a sudden he seemed to be finding the gaps with every delivery, almost putting Tim David, batting alongside him, in the shade as he brought the run rate down single-handedly every over. When he fell for a 56-ball 76 that belied his early struggles, David quickly picked up the mantle with a couple of further boundaries, though his dismissal in the 18th over kept the Kings just in front.It was, as it so often is in T20 cricket, the penultimate over when the game truly showed its hand. Khushdil Shah smashed Chris Jordan first ball for six over midwicket, with a remarkable flick of the wrists; astonishingly, it was the first six the Sultans had hit all game. The second would follow two balls later and a boundary came in between, leaving nine to get off the final over.The winning shot was delightfully flamboyant from Rossouw, who moved across his stumps to pick Umaid Asif up over square leg for six, before nonchalantly folding his arms and holding the pose. It showed a swagger that comes so easily to the Sultans right now, and is wholly missing from the Kings, for whom this campaign cannot conclude soon enough.

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