أصدر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، بيانًا للتعليق على أحداث مباراتي الأهلي والجيش الملكي وشبيبة القبائل أمام يانج أفريكانز ضمن لقاءات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وحل الأهلي ضيفًا على الجيش الملكي المغربي مساء الجمعة، في إطار مباريات الجولة الثانية لدور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا. وشهدت المواجهة مشادات قوية بين لاعبي الفريقين، إلى جانب أعمال شغب جماهيري من قبل جماهير الجيش الملكي، أسفرت عن إصابة محمود حسن تريزيجيه، بسبب إلقاء آلة حادة نحو لاعب الأهلي. وطالب النادي الأهلي في بيان رسمي من الاتحاد الإفريقي عدد من المطالب من أجل تنظيم البطولة بشكل أفضل وتطبيق تقنية الفار.
طالع | بـ4 مطالب حاسمة.. الأهلي يوجه خطابًا رسميًا إلى كاف بشأن أحداث مباراة الجيش الملكي
وأكد كاف في بيانه إدانته للأحداث التي شهدتها المباراتين، مشيرا إلى تحويلها إلى لجنة الانضباط من أجل التحقيق فيها. بيان الاتحاد الإفريقي بشأن مباراتي الأهلي والجيش الملكي وشبيبة القبائل مع يانج أفريكانز
يدين الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، بشدة الخروقات الخطيرة لقواعد السلامة والأمن التي لوحظت خلال مباريات دوري أبطال أفريقيا TotalEnergies التي أقيمت في 28 نوفمبر 2025: الجيش الملكي (المغرب) ضد الأهلي (مصر)، وشبيبة القبائل (الجزائر) ضد يانج أفريكانز (تنزانيا).
وأحيلت الأحداث إلى لجنة الانضباط بالاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم، التي فتحت تحقيقا.
Principais contratações do Corinthians para 2024, Igor Coronado e Rodrigo Garro dificilmente atuam juntos como titulares. António Oliveira só começou com a dupla de meias nas derrotas contra o Juventude e RB Bragantino, pelo Brasilerão.
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➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América
Embora o retrospecto de Coronado e Garro atuando desde o início não seja animador, António Oliveira não fechou as portas para utilizar a dupla em mais jogos, mas ainda busca o equilíbrio necessário dentro do sistema de jogo para os dois meias receberem mais minutos juntos.
➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão
– É evidente que o talento sempre terá espaço, mas existe uma coisa que se chama equipe e nunca irá se priorizar da equipe, quando eu achar que a equipe estará equilibrada com os dois juntos é ok. Quando eu não achar que isso não é possível, vamos ter paciência, mas é assim, são jogadores muito talentosos, que vão nos ajudar, vão ter oportunidade, que trabalham muito, que estão querendo muito ajudar e estamos muito satisfeitos e orgulhosos do trabalho deles – salientou António Oliveira após a vitória na Sul-Americana.
continua após a publicidade
Enquanto Garro se estabeleceu como titular absoluto no Corinthians, Coronado sofreu com problemas físicos e ainda não se adaptou a intensidade do futebol brasileiro. Além de lidar com a dengue, o camisa 77 ficou afastado por cerca de três semanas por um problema no quadril.
➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão
Existe a expectativa de que Garro e Coronado atuem juntos na próxima quarta-feira (22), quando o Corinthians recebe o América-RN, pela partida de volta da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil.
Celtic are finally closing in on the appointment of their long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers, after four matches with Martin O’Neill in interim charge of the team.
The Northern Irish boss resigned from his role at the club last month after a 3-1 defeat to Hearts, departing Parkhead for the second time after a stint that lasted just over two years.
Celtic’s next head coach will have to build on the success that the former Leicester boss achieved in his second spell in the dugout, with two Scottish Premiership titles and two domestic cup victories in his two full seasons.
The Daily Record reports that Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy is poised to come through the door as Rodgers’ replacement, and that they want to get a deal over the line before Friday.
He has been in discussions with the Scottish giants since last Friday and the Hoops will have to thrash out a compensation package with the MLS side once they have an agreement with the Frenchman.
Whilst there will be a focus on instant results and implementing his style of play as quickly as possible, there will also be one eye on the January transfer window and what the board can do to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.
The positions Celtic need to target in January
The most obvious position that Celtic need to target when the transfer window opens for business is a centre-forward, as they had to resort to signing Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer in the summer after they failed to land any other options before the deadline.
The Nigeria international is currently out of action with a hamstring injury, leaving Johnny Kenny leading the line, and the Hoops may look to bring in an experienced number nine ahead of the second half of the campaign.
A right-winger should also be one of the club’s priorities in January after right-sided attacker Nicolas Kuhn left in the summer and two left wingers, Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, were brought in off the back of that.
25/26 Premiership
Hyun-jun Yang
James Forrest
Appearances
5
10
Goals
0
0
Big chances missed
2
1
Big chances created
1
1
Key passes per game
0.4
0.6
Assists
0
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Celtic’s two natural right wingers, Hyun-jun Yang and James Forrest, have both failed to deliver much in the way of quality in the Premiership this season.
On top of a striker and a right winger, a right-sided centre-back could be on the cards after Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a long-term injury at the end of October.
Whilst a striker, a right winger, and a centre-back should all be priorities for January, the Hoops are also reportedly looking at a central midfielder with a view to a longer-term move.
Celtic have SPFL midfield star on their radar
According to 67HailHail, Celtic have Kilmarnock central midfielder David Watson on their radar ahead of a potential swoop to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
The 20-year-old star’s contract with the Premiership side is due to expire at the end of the season, which has thrown doubt around his future heading into the January window, as it may be Kilmarnock’s last chance to cash in on him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
67HailHail reports, though, that the Hoops are not certain to make a move for him in the January transfer window, amid competition from league leaders Hearts.
The Premiership champions could, instead, wait until the end of the season to snap him up on a free transfer, rather than looking to pay a fee to land the midfield star six months early.
Whether a deal happens in January or next summer, Watson could be an excellent addition to the side as Nancy’s own version of Scott Brown in midfield.
Why Watson would be Nancy's own Brown for Celtic
Back in the summer of 2007, Celtic paid £4.4m to sign Scott Brown from Premiership rivals Hibernian, which was a record fee between two Scottish clubs at that time.
Watson, as his contract is due to expire next summer, would not arrive at Parkhead with any kind of record transfer fee, but he would be another talented and young Scottish central midfielder who could have an incredibly bright future in Glasgow.
Brown had 134 appearances for Hibernian at first-team level under his belt, per Transfermarkt, as a 21-year-old, whilst the Kilmarnock star has played 118 matches and does not turn 21 until February of this season.
The former Hibs ace, of course, went on to captain Celtic and make 618 appearances in all competitions, winning ten Premiership titles, as a combative midfield star, who also chipped in with 46 goals and 63 assists, per Transfermarkt.
Watson’s performances for Kilmarnock in the top-flight so far this season suggest that he can offer the same sort of box-to-box presence that Brown did during his time at Parkhead.
25/26 Premiership
Watson
Rank vs CMs
Goals
3
Top 8%
Assists
1
Top 41%
Successful dribbles
11
Top 6%
Fouls won
27
Top 3%
Tackles won
24
Top 12%
Duels won
72
Top 5%
Interceptions
13
Top 11%
Blocks
6
Top 1%
Stats via Sofascore
Described by Scottish scout and analyst Kai Watson as a “box-crashing, goalscoring midfielder that works hard on both ends”, it’s clear the 20-year-old excels offensively and defensively among his positional peers in the Premiership, which illustrates the kind of quality that he would bring to Celtic as a box-to-box midfielder.
Watson, who Kilmarnock commentator Andrew Milligan claimed has “no ceiling”, has shown the Hoops what he can do offensively, scoring against them in the clash between the two sides in September.
On top of his evident quality on the pitch as a Premiership midfielder, the Celtic target is also the current captain of Scotland’s U21s at international level, per Transfermarkt, which suggests that he has the potential to be a future Hoops captain, as he is viewed as a leader for that team.
Therefore, Watson could be Nancy’s own version of the Scott Brown signing from 2007, as he could come in next summer as another 21-year-old proven Premiership midfielder who could captain the club moving forward.
Nancy could turn "world-class" Celtic star into the new Matt O'Riley
Celtic have a “world-class” star who could explode under Wilfried Nancy at Parkhead.
England took on Boland two years ago on home soil and could look to take a similar approach this year
AAP12-Oct-20257:05
Advantage England if Cummins misses first Ashes Test?
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has warned England that Scott Boland will be a different prospect at home, and any belief they have figured the Victorian out is based on a false economy.Boland’s role for this summer’s Ashes is now appearing increasingly important, with concerns over how many Tests Pat Cummins will be able to play throughout the series.The 36-year-old Boland debuted against England four years ago on Boxing Day, with his 6 for 7 in the second innings catapulting him into cult-hero status.Related
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The one blip in Boland’s Test career remains the 2023 Ashes, where England went after him and messed with his lengths at Edgbaston and Headingley.Boland’s career average of 16.53 also remains the best of any bowler in the past 100 years, while his economy-rate of 2.75 makes him the most miserly of any regular seamer since his debut.But he took just two wickets at an average of 115.5 in the 2023 Ashes, as England’s batters walked at Boland and took him for 4.91 runs an over in his two Tests.That alone prompted former England captain Michael Atherton to state this week Cummins’s back injury was a massive boost for the tourists given they had no fear for Boland. Not that Australia’s coach is buying into the suggestion.”Scotty was challenged with some lack of bounce in the benign conditions in England,” McDonald said. “I think conditions sort of conspired a little bit against him. I know there’s been some press around that England have worked Scott Boland out. But when he comes back into the Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the deck, he’s a handful.Will it be a big Ashes for Scott Boland?•Getty Images
“And as we saw last year against India, I think Rohit Sharma rated him the best of that series. That’s a huge compliment from an opposing captain.”McDonald pointed to two overs Boland sent down under heavy cloud at Edgbaston during the 2023 Ashes as proof the situation may have been conditions-dependent.”We did get the overheads there for that short snippet at the end of day three,” McDonald said. “And when he bowled a few overs under the cloudy skies, he looked like he was going to get a wicket every ball.”So we’re confident and comfortable that Baz can get the job done in Australia, which he’s done over a long period of time. And bounce will be his friend.”McDonald also insisted there was enough depth in Australia’s pace-bowling stocks to cover if injuries struck. He has not had to call upon a frontline quick other than Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Boland since December 2022.Cummins will have a clearer picture later this week on whether he is a chance to play in the first Test, with the captain needing at least four-and-a-half weeks of bowling in the lead up.Tight turnarounds between the final three Tests could also cause workload-management headaches, particularly if the third Test in Adelaide was to go the distance.”It’d be nice if we sat back at the end of the summer and said there were only four fast bowlers used,” McDonald said. “But we’ve got some good options in [Brendan] Doggett, [Sean] Abbott, [Michael] Neser. Jhye Richardson is potentially coming back around that midpoint of the series.”So I feel like we’ve got some good options if we do get stretched, which is one of the great things of domestic cricket.”
يستعد منتخب عمان، لمواجهة نظيره جزر القمر، ضمن مباريات دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب.
وكان منتخب عمان قد تعادل في المباراة الماضية سلبيًا مع المغرب، في الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب، بينما خسر جزر القمر الجولة الماضية بثلاثية امام السعودية.
طالع.. محمد بن رمضان وعلي معلول يعلقان على خروج تونس من كأس العرب
ويقع منتخب عمان في المجموعة الثانية من كأس العرب، رفقة منتخبات جزر القمر والسعودية والمغرب.
ويحتل منتخب عمان المركز الثالث في مجموعته برصيد نقطة وحيدة، بينما يتذيل جزر القمر المجموعة بدون نقاط. موعد مباراة عمان وجزر القمر اليوم في كأس العرب
ومن المقرر أن يواجه منتخب عمان نظيره جزر القمر، في الساعة السابعة مساء اليوم الإثنين بتوقيت القاهرة والثامنة مساء بتوقيت قطر والسعودية، في الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة عمان وجزر القمر في كأس العرب
سوف تذاع مباراة عمان وجزر القمر، على قنوات beIN Sports HD ودبي الرياضية والشارقة الرياضية وعمان الرياضية والكويت الرياضية وقناة الكأس ومنصة شاشا الرقمية.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
O Campeonato Brasileiro terminou dia 07 de dezembro. Mais do que quem foi campeão ou quem caiu, o que me saltou aos olhos foi a fotografia cruel dos 16 clubes que terminaram entre o terceiro e o décimo oitavo lugares. O futebol brasileiro entrou definitivamente na era da margem mínima de erro. Hoje, a distância entre disputar uma competição continental e ser rebaixado se mede em decisões microscópicas, imperceptíveis a olho nu.
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Um exemplo didático desta temporada talvez venha do estado do Ceará. O Vozão passou praticamente todas as rodadas fora da zona de rebaixamento e caiu na última. Não, não foi acaso. Foi a soma de pontos desperdiçados, jogos controlados que escaparam e escolhas que custaram caro. O futebol não pune só a incompetência. Ele pune também a ilusão de controle.
A reação que não apaga o passado
Do outro lado está o Fortaleza. Fez uma segunda metade de campeonato impressionante, reacendeu estádio, torcida e discurso. Ainda assim, caiu. Porque o futebol não zera a conta emocional. Ele cobra o saldo final.
continua após a publicidadeUm livro que é reescrito todo ano
E é aqui que entra a minha provocação. O futebol é um livro de 365 páginas. Sempre com o mesmo enredo e os mesmos personagens. O que muda são os atores. Em todo ano há uma revelação, uma decepção, um gigante que tropeça, um pequeno que surpreende, um injustiçado, uma fava contada. A ilusão é achar que essas obviedades nos autorizam a errar. O sistema é previsível. A incompetência, não.
A anestesia da zona cinzenta
Esses dois casos escancaram uma realidade incômoda. Não existe mais zona de conforto na tabela. A faixa intermediária anestesia. Nem cai, nem chega. O problema é que hoje quem apenas se mantém está parado. A inércia é o primeiro passo do retrocesso.
continua após a publicidadeGestão analógica em futebol digital
Ainda há gestores pensando como se estivéssemos em 2005. Planejamento curto, orçamento aspiracional, elenco montado em sobras de mercado. O que antes era risco, hoje é suicídio competitivo. Detalhe não é azar. Detalhe é processo mal desenhado, governança frouxa e vaidade interferindo na técnica.
O calendário que muda tudo
Agora vem o segundo choque. A temporada de 2026 começará sob uma lógica inédita. Estaduais com no máximo 11 datas e o Brasileiro começando no primeiro trimestre. Em tese, evolução. Na prática, para muitos clubes, um teste de sobrevivência.
➡️ Gestão Esportiva na Prática: leia todas as colunas
Menos jogos no estadual significam menos bilheteria, menos vitrine, menos ativação comercial e menos margem de correção. Quem erra cedo, paga caro. Para clubes fora da elite financeira, isso pode significar eliminação precoce, colapso de orçamento e instabilidade técnica já no primeiro semestre.
Quando o tempo vira adversário
O Brasileiro começando mais cedo também muda tudo. Janela comprimida, pré-temporada encurtada, elenco sendo ajustado com competição valendo. Erro agora custa ponto. E ponto custa divisão.
O torcedor não interpreta, ele reage
Alguns dirigentes ainda se enganam dizendo que “o torcedor entende”. Não entende. Torcedor reage a desempenho. Se cai cedo no estadual, começa mal o Brasileiro e perde clássicos, o engajamento despenca. E sem engajamento, não há patrocínio que se sustente nem projeto que sobreviva.
O fim do improviso como estratégia
O que estamos vivendo não é só uma mudança de calendário. É uma mudança estrutural de lógica. O futebol brasileiro está sendo empurrado para trabalhar com eficiência, não mais com volume. Com método, não com improviso.
E aqui está a verdade que poucos gostam de encarar. Rebaixamento não é acidente. É consequência. Consequência de decisões empilhadas, diagnósticos mal feitos e de uma cultura que ainda resiste à profissionalização plena.
O campeonato acabou domingo. Mas o jogo real de 2026 já começou. E ele não vai perdoar quem insistir em jogar com as regras do passado.
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Liverpool are in uncharted waters, with these deep fathoms threatening not only the future of Arne Slot, who won the Premier League a matter of months ago, but that of Mohamed Salah, one of the greatest players in the club’s history, too.
Where is the respite? At the moment, Liverpool can’t catch a break, fumbling a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Leeds United on Saturday after previously drawing against well-worth-their-money Sunderland at Anfield. All told, the Reds have won only two of their past ten league fixtures, losing six.
But Liverpool have sculpted this disaster themselves. They have patented a startling ability to wreak havoc on their own progress, with tactical imbalances sparking crises of confidence, sparking mutiny.
Salah’s flaming interview at Elland Road will go down in the history books, and though FSG have since underlined their faith in Slot’s stewardship, the severity of this crossroads cannot be understated.
The latest on Slot's Liverpool future
Slot is in an unenviable position, with Salah’s outburst proving the latest and most damaging in a long line of mishaps since the summer.
While FSG retain the faith in the 47-year-old, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title last year after Jurgen Klopp stepped down, there’s an acceptance that results are needed quickly if something is to be salvaged from this campaign.
The fact of the matter is that Slot’s Liverpool started wobbling well before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and he now needs to show that he can sort out the defence and restore balance to the team. He needs to show that quickly.
Arne Slot at Liverpool (2024 vs 2025)
2024
#
2025
27
Games
52
23
Wins
26
3
Draws
10
1
Losses
16
2.66
PPG
1.69
73
Goals scored
91
27
Goals conceded
69
Data via Transfermarkt
Liverpool are in big bother, and though FSG have been steadfast in their backing of the Dutchman, their leniency will only stretch so far, especially when there is such an exciting successor for Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to consider.
Liverpool could hire Slot upgrade
Last week, it was reported that FSG have been considering Julian Nagelsmann as a candidate to replace Slot, should the Reds coach be sacked, though they will face a tough task in wrestling him away from the German national team, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming large.
Nagelsmann, 38, is among the world’s finest young coaches, having managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in his homeland.
Would he be willing to park his international ambitions? Probably not. That’s why it’s anticipated he could be lined up ahead of the start of next season, meaning Liverpool would need to find an interim boss if Slot is dismissed before the end of the term.
What Nagelsmann would offer Liverpool
Nagelsmann has been described as the “best young coach in Europe” by journalist Josh Bunting, and though he’s the junior of practically all of the game’s standout managers, he’s hardly inexperienced, with a keen tactical mind that could be the remedy to a Liverpool team who have fallen by the wayside.
Bayern's Julian Nagelsmann
This is a fluid and interchangeable tactician. Nagelsmann employed a counter-pressing system at Leipzig before changing to a more dominant playing style at the Allianz Arena. He recognises the quirks and whims of the players at his disposal, and he crafts a system that caters to his troops.
Journalist Kai Iliev has even named him a “world-class manager” for his ability to fix a range of flaws within Germany’s national set-up. Now they are contenders. Now they believe again.
Liverpool could do with a bit of that, right? The appointment of Nagelsmann might even play into keeping Salah at the club; with the Egyptian King’s relationship under Slot having broken down, something has to give.
Liverpool, of course, will now back Salah over Slot. To do the contrary would result in anarchy. But this latest splinter in an outfit splitting wide open is not the root cause. Slot’s system is in a tailspin, and if he cannot establish form and fluency quickly, he will find that he has exhausted all the credit in the bank, and Edwards and Hughes will be forced into making a tough call.
The German coach’s principal 4-2-3-1 set-up would accommodate new signing Florian Wirtz and allow Salah to arc inwards once more and find passages into the danger area. This season, the 33-year-old has only posted five goals and three assists across all competitions.
Who could have expected this when Liverpool lifted the Premier League title? Salah was not the main man but the author of his long-term outfit’s illustrious success.
It’s not controversial to suggest that many, many Liverpool supporters would be dejected if Salah were to leave this winter, and it would be sure to put more than just a dampener on Slot’s reign at the Anfield helm.
If results do not continue over the coming weeks – with Salah off to AFCON after Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this weekend – FSG will have to face the reality of theirt spiraling situation and make a change.
Could that prompt Salah to stay? Working under Nagelsmann on Merseyside, it just might, though whether the Reds are able to keep the African legend appeased and reach a decision that would see him remain at the club he has served so well over the past nine years remains to be seen.
In any case, this is a staggering, stomach-sinking situation, one that nobody could have foreseen, and Liverpool’s powers that be need to make sure an upswing is found – quickly.
Sell him before Salah & Konate: FSG must bin Liverpool's "major issue"
Liverpool have collapsed this season, and some tough decisions need to be made.
Sri Lanka fought hard through cameos from Samarawickrama, Theekshana and then Hasaranga but had a tall ask and fell six runs short
Madushka Balasuriya11-Nov-2025
Salman Agha got to his century in just 83 balls•AFP/Getty Images
Pakistan withstood a valiant all-round display from Wanindu Hasaranga to come away with a six-run victory in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, and with it take a 1-0 lead in the three match series.Chasing 300 to win, a target that would have constituted the second-highest successful chase in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka were set up well courtesy an 80-run opening stand, but then lost wickets in clusters through the middle overs to fall behind the required rate. A few stands through the middle overs still provided Sri Lanka the control they might have been looking for but none of their batters were able to capitalise on their starts.It meant Hasaranga was left batting with the tail during a 52-ball 59 to take the chase into the final overs, but with 21 needed from 10 he too would fall. Even then, two boundaries from Maheesh Theekshana in the final over gave Sri Lanka hope of an unlikely heist, but Hussain Talat held his nerve with the ball.This though was a hard-fought win set up by Salman Agha’s second ODI century, which helped Pakistan recover from a sluggish start to pose a competitive target. It was then brought home by what was an eventually stellar display from Pakistan’s bowlers, but not one without some significant blemishes – the innings saw 26 wides and two dropped catches.Igniting the game was fiery spell from Haris Rauf, who ended with figures of 4 for 61. Rauf’s intervention came at a point when Sri Lanka were coasting along with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, on ODI debut, in the midst of an 85-run opening stand off just 70 deliveries.Babar Azam and Haris Rauf celebrate a wicket•AFP/Getty Images
During that period, Sri Lanka were rollicking along – though much of that early brisk scoring was of Pakistan’s own doing. Of the 26 wides across the Sri Lankan innings, roughly 70% came inside the opening powerplay. That provided Sri Lanka’s chase the impetus it needed, shortly after which both Nissanka and Mishara also began to find their range.At that point it was hard to look past a comfortable Sri Lankan chase, but all that changed when Mishara spliced an attempted flat-batted slap straight to mid-off of Rauf. This triggered the first of two mini-collapses in the innings, as Kusal Mendis chopped on the very next delivery, before Nissanka edged behind in Haris’ next over. From 85 for 0, Sri Lanka had stumbled to 90 for 3.But even at that point, with Sri Lanka playing seven specialist batters, the chase seemed well in hand. A view reinforced by the 57-run stand between Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama that followed.Coming off 80 deliveries, it wasn’t a particularly rapid stand, but it helped Sri Lanka regain some of the control that had been lost by the sudden burst of wickets. It was also a partnership which had minimal risk-taking, and as such it took a moment of utter brilliance to bring it to an end.After Sadeera had edged one through a vacant slip region and swung and missed at another, Shaheen Shah Afridi swiftly installed Babar Azam at slip. And Babar was immediately in action as he sprung to his right and plucked an edge off Sadeera the very next delivery. It was a moment of outrageous skill that brought those in attendance at an increasingly raucous Rawalpindi stadium to their feet.That though was the appetiser for what was to follow. The arrival of Janith Liyanage instilled some urgency to Sri Lanka’s proceedings, as he and Asalanka put on a stand of 36 off 31 balls. While Asalanka, who had earlier in the day seemed to have incurred what looked to be a hamstring niggle, was struggling for fluency, Liyanage was rotating strike with ease.During this period it seemed like Sri Lanka had at last found the blueprint for victory: rotate strike, take the game deep, don’t panic. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, that final memo seemed to have passed them by.Asalanka’s brain fade was the catalyst for the next mini collapse, as he charged out to Mohammed Nawaz, only to be left all at sea as Mohammed Rizwan whipped off the bails. Liyanage fell shortly after, as Naseem redeemed himself for his earlier profligacy by seaming one back in to knock back off stump. Kamindu Mendis then ended up chopping on an attempted pull after one had kept low from the excellent Faheem Ashraf.Just like that Sri Lanka were 210 for 7, with Hasaranga the only recognised batter at the crease. Hasaranga’s last ODI fifty had come back in November 2022, but here he batted with clear purpose. Intent on taking the came deep, he was unafraid to give strike to Dushmantha Chameera and then Maheesh Theekshana, as he mixed in the odd boundary to keep the required rate from going beyond a relatively manageable 10 an over.But with boundaries the need of the hour, heading into the penultimate over, Hasaranga could only muscle a just-below-waist-high full toss to Babar at long-on – a catch not as spectacular as his first, but arguably more important. From then on, Pakistan could breathe a little easier, while Sri Lanka were left to ponder what might have been.After Pakistan were asked to bat first, they lost early wickets but a century from Agha and a maiden ODI fifty from Talat helped revive their flagging innings to 299 for 5. The pair came together at 95 for 4 in the 24th over, but by the time their 138-run partnership came to an end, they had taken Pakistan to 233 for 5 in the 44th over.Wanindu Hasaranga sparkled with both ball and bat•AFP/Getty Images
Agha then turned on the afterburners alongside Nawaz, as Pakistan managed 104 runs off the last 10 overs to set Sri Lanka 300. Agha brought up his second ODI ton with a gentle dab behind point for a single off his 83rd delivery, but the ball prior to that highlighted the confidence with which he was batting – sweeping an attempted Chameera yorker for four.Prior to Agha and Talat’s stand, however, Sri Lanka had choked the Pakistan innings for large parts. Miserly opening spells from Asitha Fernando and Chameera ensured just 28 runs were scored inside the opening powerplay, and while just one wicket fell during that period the introduction of Hasaranga saw wickets fall at a canter. He ended up with figures of 3 for 54, with Asitha and Theekshana the only other wicket-takers for Sri Lanka.Hasaranga might have had another to close out the over after he had Talat rapped on the knee-roll only for the umpire to turn down the appeal. Ball-tracking showed it would have crashed into leg stump, but Sri Lanka had burnt both their reviews early on – both for lbw appeals where the ball pitched outside leg.That proved to be a sliding doors moment of sorts as Pakistan’s fortunes gradually began to shift, and it was also some much-needed luck for Talat, in particular, whose place in the side had come under increasing scrutiny of late – his six innings in ODIs leading up to this game had seen him manage 107 runs with a high score of 41.But with Pakistan in need of resuscitation, he and Agha set about rebuilding. The plan was clear at this point: keep wickets intact for the final overs and then launch. And in this instance, the execution was perfect. Sri Lanka, who might have regretted their decision to not go with a genuine fifth bowling option, were left requiring Janith Liyanage to bowl eight overs of his part-time seam after Charith Asalanka was taken for 18 in his two solitary overs.Liyanage, to his credit, gave away 48 runs, though with Sri Lanka in the ascendancy at the halfway point of the innings, their need to get through their fifth bowler quota allowed Talat and Agha to settle in nicely.And while Talat was unable to see the innings to its close, Agha ensured he remained unbeaten to get his side to a competitive total – one that proved just about enough in the end.