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For all of Andre Onana’s errors last season – having made three of them leading to a goal in the Premier League – it was arguably at the other end of the pitch where Manchester United’s problems lay in 2024/25.

Indeed, the Red Devils ended the campaign having just scored 44 top-flight goals, with rivals – and champions – Liverpool having reached almost double that tally (86) on their way to title glory.

Such woes were notably epitomised in Erik ten Hag’s final game, with the Old Trafford side slipping to a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on the road, as Diogo Dalot inexplicably missed an open goal for the profligate visitors.

Things didn’t exactly improve even amid Ruben Amorim’s arrival, with United looking particularly limp in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, having failed to convert any of their three ‘big chances’.

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ByRobbie Walls Jul 6, 2025

With pre-season now underway and the new campaign looming, the question remains just where the goals will come from for Amorim’s side in 2025/26 – well, AI tool ChatGPT has the answers…

Defenders

Desperate times called for desperate measures in 2024/25, with Amorim repeatedly resorting to deploying Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker, having notably stated after the win over Lyon that the 32-year-old centre-back is “the only guy that can score a goal with his head”.

Of course, the Englishman had come up trumps at the death against the Ligue 1 side, having also produced further heroics throughout the campaign, namely away to Porto in the Europa League and at home to Leicester City in the FA Cup.

With the forwards toiling, up stepped Maguire and his defensive colleagues to deliver the goods when needed, with the injury-hit Lisandro Martinez scoring a vital winner away at Fulham, having also scored a stunning opener in the 2-2 draw at Anfield back in January. Leny Yoro, meanwhile got off the mark away to Lyon in the quarter-final first-leg.

With Matthijs de Ligt also an aerial threat at 6 foot 4, the Red Devils do at least have a set-piece presence to fall back on, although more will be needed from those on the flanks, with Patrick Dorgu still yet to open his account for the club.

The suggestion from ChatGPT is that the young Dane will chip in next term, alongside both Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, albeit with no player from the defensive unit expected to exceed four goals in all competitions in 2025/26.

Predicted goals:

Centre-backs – Matthijs de Ligt (3-4 goals), Harry Maguire (2-3), Lisandro Martinez (2-3), Leny Yoro (1-2), Ayden Heaven (0-2)

Full-backs – Diogo Dalot (2-3), Luke Shaw (1-2), Patrick Dorgu (1-2), Noussair Mazraoui (1-2)

Midfielders

The man who led the way for both goals and assists last season, Bruno Fernandes will likely have another vital role to play next season, having shunned Saudi interest to stay put in Manchester.

Bruno Fernandes

39

19

20

Alejandro Garnacho

21

11

10

Amad Diallo

20

11

9

Rasmus Hojlund

14

10

5

Joshua Zirkzee

10

7

3

Marcus Rashford

10

7

3

Christian Eriksen

10

5

5

Casemiro

8

5

3

Diogo Dalot

8

3

5

Manuel Ugarte

8

2

6

With attacking additions – outside of Matheus Cunha – likely to be prioritised in the coming weeks, the Portuguese playmaker may find himself operating in a deep-lying role in 2025/26, ensuring his goal return could be limited somewhat.

2023 arrival, Mason Mount, will be expected to pick up the slack, with ChatGPT suggesting that he could chip in with seven to nine goals, having scored three goals at the tail-end of another injury-impacted 2024/25 campaign.

That included a stunning brace at home to Athletic Club to secure United’s progression to the Europa League semi-final, with the club’s number seven needing to build on such a display ahead of a potentially pivotal third season at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere in the midfield ranks, ChatGPT believes that Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro could all contribute a handful of goals apiece, most likely “via set-pieces or late runs”.

Predicted goals:

Midfielders – Bruno Fernandes (10-12 goals), Mason Mount (7-9), Kobbie Mainoo (2-4), Manuel Ugarte (2-4), Casemiro (2-4)

Forwards

There is set to be much upheaval in this department, with the aforementioned Cunha already joining on a £62.5m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while numerous outgoings are likely to occur in the form of Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho and Antony.

22-year-old Dane, Rasmus Hojlund, appears in line to follow that quartet, albeit with journalist Fabrizio Romano outlining his desire to stay put for a third season in English football. According to ChatGPT, that scenario could see the £64m signing improve upon his ten-goal return from last season and actually finish as the club’s top scorer, as he did back in 2023/24.

As for Cunha, the Brazilian – who scored 15 league goals in 2024/25 – will hopefully pick up where he left off last time out, with United’s new number ten thus far the only major arrival to Amorim’s first-team ranks.

With further additions not factored in, the onus may be on Joshua Zirkzee and Amad to step up to the mark, with the pair both tipped to at least reach double figures for next season.

As for teenage sensation Chido Obi, ChatGPT believes that he will be afforded 10-15 competitive outings next season, ensuring his goal return will be minimal.

Predicted goals:

Forwards – Rasmus Hojlund (15-18 goals), Matheus Cunha (12-15), Joshua Zirkzee (10-12), Amad Diallo (10-12), Chido Obi (1-2)

AI predicts how many goals Watkins, Gyokeres & Osimhen would score for Man Utd

Man Utd are in desperate need of a new centre-forward, but just who should they prioritise?

ByRobbie Walls Jul 4, 2025

Hockley says Cricket Australia has been in discussion with the ACB and hopes to “resume bilateral cricket against Afghanistan at some point in the future”

Sruthi Ravindranath03-Jul-2024

Afghanistan scored a famous victory over Australia at the T20 World Cup last month•ICC/Getty Images

Cricket Australia (CA) has reiterated that Australia will not play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan because of the Taliban government’s stance regarding the rights of women.CA chief executive Nick Hockley said that there has been “regular dialogue” with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on the matter, and hoped that the sides resume playing each other “sometime in the future”.Australia have withdrawn from playing Afghanistan in a bilateral series thrice, citing “a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls”, but have continued to face them at ICC events. In the aftermath of Afghanistan’s famous victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup last month, Usman Khawaja had said that CA’s stance was “a little bit hypocritical”.Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had also commented on the situation after the match, saying he wished “we could do something” to solve the problem.Related

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“They [Afghanistan] had a fantastic tournament with phenomenal players, and they played with great passion and spirit,” Hockley said. “Regarding our bilateral matches, we have consulted extensively with stakeholders, including the Australian government, and chose to postpone our last couple of series with Afghanistan Cricket Board on human-rights grounds.”We maintain a close relationship and regular dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, and want to see cricket thrive worldwide for both men and women. We hope for a level of progress, and continue to discuss and maintain contact with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, aiming to resume bilateral cricket against Afghanistan at some point in the future.”On Monday, 17 Afghanistan women players, contracted by the ACB in 2020 before the Taliban takeover, wrote to the ICC asking for assistance in setting up a refugee team based in Australia. The team wants to be administered by the East Asian Cricket office in Australia, and not play under the ACB banner or be called the Afghanistan national team.”We understand that the Afghanistan women based in Australia have written to the ICC,” Hockley said. “That’s a matter for the ICC to consider. We have meetings coming up in Colombo in July, and I’m sure it will be a topic of conversation. The Afghan women residing in Australia are engaged with the cricketing community, and they’re receiving excellent support from across the community. But it’s not something we were directly involved in.”Bangladesh had last played a bilateral ODI series in Australia in 2008•Getty Images

Exiled Afghanistan women footballers, who have resettled in Melbourne, are being supported by A League club Melbourne Victory to play as a team in Football Victoria’s third division. They even took part in the Hope Cup while awaiting official recognition from FIFA.On being asked if there were plans to integrate Afghanistan women cricketers into the club system in Australia, Hockley said, “My understanding is that several of the players are playing for clubs in the cities in which they reside, so you have to say I think that the community here is very much supporting them.”Any people that move and arrive in Australia are taking up the game, [and] joining cricket clubs – it’s a great way to meet people, great way to build relationships into the community. The broader cricketing fraternity has been offering their support.”CA ‘looking forward to hosting’ Bangladesh men
Hockley also said that Australia were hopeful of hosting the Bangladesh’s men’s side in the next FTP cycle. Bangladesh last played Tests in Australia in July 2003, and a bilateral ODI series in August-September 2008.”Bangladesh are certainly part of our next FTP cycle, and we’re very much looking forward to hosting Bangladesh,” Hockley said. “We just enjoyed an excellent women’s tour to Bangladesh ahead of the women’s T20 World Cup later this year. We were very appreciative of the excellent hospitality and welcome that the women ‘s team received.”As far as a men’s tour [is concerned], that’s not currently part of the FTP over the next few years. But we will continue to work with all the members, [and] with the Bangladesh Cricket Board about what opportunities there can be for the following FTP.”

Celtic’s season came to an end on Saturday when they were beaten by Aberdeen on penalties in the final of the SFA Cup at Hampden Park, which put an end to their hopes of clinching the treble.

It was still a successful season for the Hoops, though, as they won the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup, beating Rangers on penalties in the final of that competition.

All eyes will now turn to the summer transfer window, and Brendan Rodgers has already got one signing coming through the door, as Kieran Tierney will arrive on a free transfer from Arsenal at the end of June.

The Scotland international is not the only free agent who appears set to make their way to Parkhead, however, as the club are reportedly closing in on another bargain deal.

Celtic set to make second summer signing

According to The Press & Journal, Celtic have agreed a pre-contract deal with Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan to return to the club in the upcoming summer transfer window as their second signing after Tierney.

The report claims that the Scottish shot-stopper is out of contract this summer and that the Hoops have already wrapped up a transfer to bring him back to Glasgow, having come up through the academy at Paradise.

It states that Doohan, dubbed “brilliant” by teammate Graeme Shinnie, is poised to replace veteran goalkeeper Scott Bain, who could be on his way out of the club with 12 months left on his contract, and that it is a move with homegrown restrictions in Europe in mind.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Celtic need four homegrown academy graduates in their matchday squad in Europe, and the Aberdeen titan would fill one of those spots, which is why he could be a shrewd signing.

Why Ross Doohan could be Luke McCowan 2.0

Signing a back-up goalkeeper on a free transfer may not be a particularly exciting addition, in comparison to a big-money signing from abroad, like Arne Engels, but it is one that has shades of the move for Luke McCowan last summer.

Celtic signed the central midfielder from Dundee last year for a reported fee of £1m, and it turned out to be a terrific piece of business as a low-cost addition who was already proven in the Premiership.

The 27-year-old star hit the ground running, as he did not need time to adapt, and ended his first year at the club with seven goals and nine assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.

24/25 Premiership

Ross Doohan

Appearances

15

Saves

33

Successful run-outs

20

Penalties saved

1/1

Duel success rate

100%

Clean sheets

2

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Doohan made 15 appearances in the Premiership this season and is set to arrive at Celtic as a proven quantity at that level, making him an ideal signing as a back-up to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.

Like McCowan, the free agent signing will not join the Hoops as a regular starter or as a big-name signing, but he could be a dependable option when needed throughout the season as a Premiership-proven star who does not need any time to adapt to the league.

Therefore, this is a move that makes a lot of sense and one that could be a shrewd deal for Celtic, despite it not being one that is likely to excite many.

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There have been two significant problems for Arsenal this season: injuries and lacklustre attacking form.

We shouldn’t underplay the importance of the former, as Mikel Arteta has had to cope without the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes for long stretches of the campaign, while Liverpool have been rather fortunate with their star players.

However, the North Londoners’ lack of cutting-edge has been just as problematic, and as things stand, there isn’t a single player in the team who has hit double digits for goals in the Premier League.

So, with this in mind, it’s unsurprising to see recent reports linking the club with an exciting striker who has hit the milestone and could be a real upgrade on Kai Havertz.

Arsenal's striker search

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth examining some of the other Premier League strikers linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Ollie Watkins and Liam Delap.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former might be available for around £50m this summer, and as he’s racked up a sensational haul of 17 goals and 13 assists in 52 games this season, it’d be hard to say that’s not a fair price.

Delap, on the other hand, has a release clause of just £30m in his contract, and with 12 goals and two assists in 38 games, that once again feels rather reasonable.

However, another centre-forward has now been touted for a move to the Emirates, Joao Pedro.

Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Sam Dean, Arsenal are among a number of Premier League clubs interested in the Brighton & Hove Albion star.

Alongside the Gunners, Dean has revealed that Chelsea and Liverpool are particularly keen on the Brazilian striker, who, according to reports from last month, could cost £100m, although that could come down in negotiations.

While it could be a complicated and costly transfer to get done, Arsenal should still pursue it, as Pedro’s shown glimpses of brilliance on the south coast and could represent a real upgrade on Havertz.

How Pedro compares to Havertz

If the last season and a half has told us anything about Arsenal’s attack, it’s that Havertz is firmly ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order to start up top.

Therefore, if the club were to sign Pedro in the coming weeks and months, he’d be up against the German for a starting berth, but who comes out on top when we compare them?

Well, when it comes to their raw output in the league this season, it’s the “sensational” Brazilian, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, who comes out on top.

In 27 appearances, totalling just 1953 minutes, he has found the back of the net on ten occasions and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.68 games, or every 122.06 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 was able to score nine goals and provide three assists in 21 league appearances, totalling 1842 prior to his injury, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 153.5 minutes.

Unfortunately for the former Chelsea star, he also just about comes out second-best when we take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers.

For example, in the majority of relevant metrics, the Seagulls’ ace comes out on top, metrics like goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, shot and goal-creating actions, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Goals + Assists

0.74

0.59

Progressive Passes

3.61

2.89

Progressive Carries

3.06

1.67

Shots

1.94

2.54

Passing Accuracy

72.9%

78.5%

Key Passes

1.39

0.78

Passes into the Final Third

1.94

1.27

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.67

0.39

Shot-Creating Actions

3.32

2.01

Goal-Creating Actions

0.42

0.15

Successful Take-Ons

1.34

0.44

Ultimately, so long as they can bring that fee down somewhat, then Arsenal should be looking to sign Pedro this summer, as not only does he have a better rate of return in the Premier League than Havertz, but he also has a far more impressive set of underlying numbers.

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Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Tottenham Hotspur and their chances of appointing a former Bayern Munich manager who they’ve reportedly contacted.

Tottenham players back Ange Postecoglou amid mounting pressure

Ange Postecoglou faces a very uncertain future in N17, following a disastrous Premier League campaign, where they’ve tasted defeat on 19 occasions in the top flight alone.

Manager open to immediate Tottenham talks after missing out on Man United

He appears pretty keen on Spurs.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 30, 2025

According to The Telegraph, this woeful domestic form means Postecoglou and Spurs could part ways at the end of the season, regardless of their campaign in the Europa League.

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

However, midfielder James Maddison has now publicly backed the 59-year-old, stating that the squad are “100 per cent” behind their head coach despite their “unacceptable” 2024/2025.

“We’re behind the manager, 100 per cent. I think he’s a great man,” said Maddison in a press conference.

“He’s the first person to tell you, I’ve heard it myself, that we’ve had a poor season, especially in the league. We’ve been very good in Europe, but the league season’s probably been unacceptable, and we can all take collective responsibility for that.

“But he’s my manager, he’s my gaffer, I respect him an awful amount.

“The narrative is something that we players try and keep away from because it’s not healthy to read into what you lot are talking about – the manager’s position. I just know that I come into work every day and see the lads listening, taking on the messages, how he wants to play and trying to do what’s best for this club.”

Intense pressure has surrounded the Australian for months, and a succession of managers have been linked as candidates to replace him.

According to reports in Germany last week, one of the names under consideration is Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac.

The 53-year-old has helped to steady the ship at Dortmund after Nuri Şahin’s dismissal midway through the campaign, and enjoyed previous success at Bayern, where he won a Bundesliga title, DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup.

According to Bild, Tottenham made recent contact with Kovac via an intermediary, and are believed to be big fans of his intense style of play.

Fabrizio Romano shares update on Niko Kovac's links to Tottenham

Following these reports, the reliable Romano has shared an update on Kovac and his links to Spurs.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist says that nothing is advanced between Kovac and Tottenham just yet, based off the lack of information he’s heard, but he doesn’t entirely rule out the tactician as an option.

“I’m not aware of anything advanced on this one yet,” said Romano.

“Spurs will not make any decision now with the Europa League semi-finals due to start soon.”

The former Croatia captain could be a solid outside candidate, with Kovac attracting praise for his leadership qualities.

“He [Kovac] has experience, he was a very good player and was the captain of the Croatia national team,” said German footballing legend Lothar Matthäus.

“He has charisma, he has passion, he knows about football. He was a leader as a player and is showing this as a coach too.”

White talks about T20 leagues vs internationals and how ILT20 is looking at all options for a window to maximise player availability

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Feb-20242:07

‘Local knowledge of UAE players has helped ILT20 teams’

Several major T20 leagues running concurrently have not only triggered a tug-of-war between franchises attempting to secure players but have started to threaten the quality of the bilateral engagements that are part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme. The T20 leagues, though, enhance players’ financial security as well as provide the option of maintaining a better work-life balance.While players have started opting out of national retainers, boards, such as the England and Wales Cricket Board in the UK recently, have started redesigning contracts by offering more lucrative, long-term deals to secure their best players across the three formats.Former New Zealand batter David White, who served as New Zealand Cricket chief executive for more than a decade, is now the CEO of the ILT20, which recently became first Associate-run T20 league to be given the List A status by the ICC. White, thus, understands the predicament cricket boards are confronted with. In a chat with ESPNcricinfo this week, White talks about the progress the ILT20 has made in its second season, including the success of UAE players, how the tournament is looking at all options for a window to maximise player availability, and whether bilateral cricket is actually being threatened by leagues.Related

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As a former CEO at New Zealand Cricket, you faced the challenge of T20 leagues pulling in international players. Now that you are on the other side, how do you look at the situation: is there friction between countries and T20 leagues?
I wouldn’t call it friction as such. Cricket is clearly going through a bit of a change at the moment. I think the positive thing is that we have got three formats of the game internationally very competitive and doing very well. It’s great to see the [ODI] World Cup do so well in India. Test cricket is going through a bit of a revival at the moment, which is fantastic. And of course, T20 has been the financial lifeblood – let’s not hide behind the fact that it comes from Indian broadcast money, principally the T20 revolution.But now you have got a situation where you have got some [T20] leagues. I wouldn’t call it friction because all the leagues are actually – bar the ILT20 and MLC – Full-Member leagues, so they’re from within the system.We are unique in that we are an Associate that doesn’t play [much] international cricket. There’s a bit of a misconception that these leagues are competing with international cricket when the majority of them are actually based in Full-Member countries. I don’t think you can call them competition as such within the Full-Member countries.

“I wouldn’t call it friction because all the leagues are actually – bar the ILT20 and MLC – Full-Member leagues, so they’re from within the system. We are unique in that we are an Associate that doesn’t play [much] international cricket”White on T20 leagues vs international cricket

The positive thing for me now working in a T20 league is that I see a real opportunity for not just the full-time international cricketers to earn a good living, but now you have got a lot of cricketers around the world who are plying that trade playing T20 cricket, and they generally play first-class cricket as well. So for them to have the opportunity to make a good living playing cricket around the world, it’s got to be a positive for cricket. If you think of the years gone by when first-class cricketers – and I was one many, many years ago – in the off-season struggled to get remuneration, or a job. So now you have got first-class cricketers who are plying their trade and making a good living. I have calculated that there are probably 150-200 players around the world who are playing in leagues.You say that, but SA20 is running parallel to South Africa’s Test series in New Zealand currently. Luckily, you are not the NZC CEO, else you might have wondered about the second-string South African Test squad. Similar debates surrounded the quality of the West Indies squad during their two-match Test series in Australia. The players will make the choice, but in the long run, will international cricket, especially Test cricket, take the hit? Will that need to be accepted?
I will answer it a different way. Firstly, the situation I was in within New Zealand Cricket, we always took a very pragmatic approach to our players playing in leagues. We were very keen to protect our domestic season, but then outside of the domestic season, we were very open to players playing in the IPL, CPL, the Hundred, PSL, BPL as long as they didn’t clash with the New Zealand window. But now what you are saying is that there are more opportunities for players.Ultimately, the market will determine where it goes. But from a New Zealand cricket point of view, when I was CEO there – and I can’t talk for them now – we always protected the Test window and the players did too.Recently Trent [Boult] decided to play T20 leagues, fully supported by New Zealand Cricket. He has been a great ambassador and world-class performer and played for many years, so he went with our full support. But over the next two to three, four years, it’s going to be interesting how Full-Member boards manage their contracting process to ensure that Test cricket does stay strong, yet they do give players the opportunity to earn revenue outside of the international game.Trent Boult opted out of the central contract with New Zealand Cricket in 2022•ICC via Getty ImagesWe have to treat this, in a way, as a business. If a player decides to play for the league, do you think it’s the responsibility of the league to pay the home board a certain amount?
It’s a big, big area of debate. The players are developed by their countries, not just the board, but the schools they went to, the clubs they played for, their first-class teams et cetera. There is provision in the regulations now, as I understand it, for some compensation going back to boards, but if it becomes too prohibitive, that will be a challenge. The market will determine itself over the next two or three years.The ICC also recently decided to impose a cap on overseas players in any new T20 leagues. The ILT20 allows a maximum of nine overseas players in the XI. Is there a cut-off date worked out internally where the number of local UAE players will increase in the team?
One of the motivations for setting up the league was for the future development of the UAE cricket and to build its strength. I am delighted with the performance of a number of the players already in the league. They have really excelled. Internally, the Emirates Cricket Board would like to see more of their players playing in a very short period of time. So in the next two, three, four years, you’ll see quite a few more UAE players playing in the league. There’s no target date, but I know that the people at the ECB are very motivated to ensure that [number] does grow.The other big sticking point for ILT20 is that it clashes with several major T20 leagues – the BBL, SA20, BPL and PSL. Is there a plan to create an exclusive window to avoid or minimise the clash as that would allow you player availability for a longer time?
It’s a very good question, and I can tell you that this morning I was looking at the FTP, looking at all the clashes, looking at also the Champions Trophy, which starts in early February [2025]. And, of course, international teams will be looking to prepare for the Champions Trophy with white-ball cricket.

“Internally, the Emirates Cricket Board would like to see more of their players playing in a very short period of time. So in the next two, three, four years, you’ll see quite a few more UAE players playing in the league”

The interesting situation for us is most of the T20 leagues are based in the southern hemisphere with the exception of the Caribbean [CPL], England [the Hundred], and India [IPL] to a degree. So they play in their summer, but with the UAE, it’s still hot to play in the summer, so we play in the winter. So that kind of clashes with the southern hemisphere. So January-February next year is looking very crowded. There’s no hiding from that fact.And I am sure everyone is having a close look at that window and considering the best option going forward, including the complication of having the Champions Trophy so early in the southern hemisphere season.Could the ILT20 then happen in another window in 2025?
No, I’m not saying that at all. What I’m saying is that we are looking at the window, we are looking at the clashes. We are currently scheduled for January-February. That’s where the league has been played the last two years, and it’s been a very successful window. The climate’s very good, and we have had good quality players, but next year, in particular, is looming to be challenging for everyone.So there could be another window you might be looking at in 2025 in case the player availability becomes a big challenge.
Yeah. What I can say is at the moment it’s still pencilled in for the same period, but we are considering all options and just having a close look at what cricket is going to be played next year, what tours there are and the added complication of the Champions Trophy. So no decision has been made, still pencilled in the current window, but we’re having a close look at it.Shaheen Shah Afridi played for Desert Vipers this ILT20. White feels Pakistani superstars elevated the tournament•ILT20Did you consider conducting the ILT20 in the October-November window? Or you are going to stick in the long term to January-February?
What I’m saying is it’s a current window. But we are looking at options, looking at the FTP going forward, looking at the clash with the ICC events and keeping an open mind. The advantage of DP World ILT20 is that we don’t have a full international calendar like the other countries. We don’t play Test matches, so there is probably more flexibility than other countries, in particular the southern hemisphere countries.The main challenge remains player availability, isn’t it? Rival leagues are going to poach your players – you have already seen the example of Naveen-ul-Haq, where the ILT20 was very clear and strict about the incident by sanctioning him as you don’t want to entertain such things in the future. But you can’t avoid it happening again because rival leagues might want the same player.
I think so, but we do have some significant advantages. And talking to the players and coaches, they love coming here to the UAE at this time of year. The weather is beautiful, the facilities are good, they don’t have to travel. It’s a very family-centred environment. They bring their families, they stay in lovely hotels, and they play a very high level of cricket with nine overseas players. Players love to be competitive and the feedback we are getting is the league is very, very competitive from a player’s point of view. So it is a very attractive place for players to come and spend a month.One thing that has been really, really pleasing is the introduction of the Pakistani superstars this season. That really elevated the ILT20 and to see the interaction with the crowd and the animation of the crowd to the Pakistani players, in particular, was [amazing]. In the second week of the competition, I felt a real spike and a real momentum, which has carried on. We have had fantastic crowds: 45,000 people last weekend, and 17,000 people on Sunday at the Dubai Stadium.

Wolvaardt hit her fifth fifty of the tournament, making her runs tally the best in the last six editions of the Women’s World Cup

Sampath Bandarupalli27-Mar-20221 – Number of previous instances of a team reaching their target off the final ball at Women’s ODI World Cups. Sri Lanka chased 239 against England in 2013 on the last ball of the 50th over with only one wicket in hand.1 – Number of targets chased successfully at Women’s ODI World Cups, which were higher than South Africa’s chase of 275 today. The highest was by Australia, who chased down 278 against India earlier in this tournament at Eden Park.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6 – Successful chases of 270-plus targets in Women’s ODIs since September 2021. Five of these six chases have come against India. Until September 2021, there had been only three such chases in Women’s ODIs, all three involving Australia and New Zealand.