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Agha lauds Pak batting brilliance | The Express Tribune

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Agha lauds Pak batting brilliance | The Express Tribune


Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha hailed his side’s batting performance but admitted there is still work to be done with the ball, after Pakistan clinched their second successive win in the T20I tri-series against UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

“It was a perfect batting performance,” Agha said at the post-match press conference. “With the ball, we were good in the first 15 overs, but our death bowling remains an area of concern. We’re working hard on it and need to get better in that phase. Overall though, I think we’ve done well as a team.”

Pakistan powered to a 31-run victory, posting 207 before restricting UAE to 176-8. Despite a strong start from openers Muhammad Zohaib (13) and skipper Muhammad Waseem (33), the hosts collapsed after losing quick wickets. Asif Khan’s counterattack, including a blistering 77 off 35 balls with four sixes, kept UAE’s hopes alive, but Salman Mirza and Hasan Ali pegged them back at the death. Hasan Ali closed with two wickets in the final over, including Asif’s prized scalp.

Earlier, Pakistan’s batting fired once more. Saim Ayub continued his fine run with a 25-ball half-century, his fourth in T20Is.

While Agha fell cheaply for five, Hasan Nawaz stole the show later, hammering three consecutive sixes en route to a 24-ball fifty.

His 56 off 26 deliveries, combined with Mohammad Nawaz’s 25 off 15, lifted Pakistan beyond 200.

UAE’s bowlers, led by Saghir Khan (3-35), found breakthroughs, but the firepower of Pakistan’s middle order proved decisive.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson dedicated the win to the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan.

“These back-to-back wins are for everyone affected by the floods,” Hesson wrote on X. “Some people are really struggling, and we are praying for their safety and strength.”

With two wins from two, Pakistan sit firmly atop the tri-series table, but Agha’s emphasis on improving death bowling suggests the team is keeping its focus firmly on sharpening areas that could prove decisive in tougher contests ahead.

Akram advices Babar

Former Pakistan captain and pace legend Wasim Akramhttps://tribune.com.pk/story/2562240/game-must-go-on-akram-on-ind-pak-clash has offered guidance to star batter Babar Azam, who is currently out of the national T20I squad due to a dip in form.

Reflecting on the pressures faced by top players in international cricket, he offered both praise and advice for the young star.

“Babar Azam is our superstar and a top player in world cricket. I would just advise him to stay calm, ignore unnecessary press conferences, and remember that ‘Form is temporary, class is forever.’

“Keep going, and you will return to the top of world cricket again,” Akram said.

The 59-year-old cricket expert was also asked to comment on Babar’s potential as a batsman versus a match-winner. He acknowledged the player’s talent while emphasising that greater achievements are yet to come.

“He is already a great batsman, but his best is yet to come—and he will also lead the team to victory,” he stated.

When questioned about whether Babar could reach the legendary status of the great Javed Miandad in terms of match-winning performances, the former left-arm pacer shared his perspective on the young captain’s potential and what is needed to solidify his place among the greats.

“Right now, Babar has what it takes to be a match-winner—the talent is definitely there, and consistency is there—but he needs to win 2–3 important matches on his own with his batting. No doubt, he is a top-class player,” he concluded.
 



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Transfer rumors news Man United, Madrid, Barcelona eye Brown

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Transfer rumors news Man United, Madrid, Barcelona eye Brown


Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all keen on Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown, while Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher could leave the club in January, which has United interested. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

Arsenal agree to sign twins from Hincapié’s former club – sources
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Liverpool’s Mac Allister: ‘No doubt’ about Wirtz’s quality

TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all keen on signing Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown, according to Florian Plettenberg. Madrid in particular have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in action against Cologne and Atalanta, and the Germany international could be set to leave the Bundesliga in the summer of 2026 after what has been a breakout season. Brown won his first full international cap in October, and his crossing ability and attacking runs have earmarked him as one of the most exciting full backs in the German league. Eintracht are reported to be seeking a fee of around €60 million.

– Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in signing Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher in January, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 25-year-old was a loan target for Manchester United last summer, but Atlético rejected their advances. Now, though, Atletico could be open to a €30m permanent deal, while Gallagher himself is looking for a move to advance his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup next summer. Gallagher was not seen as a top priority in the last window, but United boss Ruben Amorim is likely to be at the front of the queue in January.

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is considering leaving the club after just five months, following the subsequent arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to The Daily Mail. Fellow City backup keeper Stefan Ortega is also contemplating his future, with both keen for more first-team action. Trafford, 23, arrived from Burnley for £27 million in the summer but hasn’t played a Premier League game since Donnarumma signed from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day. Trafford had hoped his move would help him land the England No. 1 jersey, but now his place in the squad is in jeopardy because of his lack of game time. Newcastle were linked previously and could be first in line for the former Burnley man when the transfer window opens.

Arsenal are considering a move for versatile Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, according to The Mirror. The Gunners are looking for further attacking reinforcements and the 23-year-old could be available next summer before his contract runs out in 2027. Dortmund value the striker’s transfer at around €80 million after he racked up 28 goal contributions in his past 56 appearances, grabbing three goals and six assists so far in 2025-26. Adeyemi can play anywhere along the front line, with Chelsea and Manchester United also interested.

– Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is keen to reunite with Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, having given him his debut for the Germany national team, according to Mundo Deportivo. Schlotterbeck, 26, has so far decided against extending his contract at Dortmund, which is due to expire in 2027, meaning he is likely to leave the club next summer. Bayern Munich are keen on signing him, but Dortmund are unwilling to let him go to their league rivals. That leaves Barcelona and Real Madrid as favorites to make a move, though Liverpool are also reported to be interested.

EXPERT TAKE

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OTHER RUMORS

– Manchester United and Chelsea are both in talks to sign 17-year-old center back Luis Eduardo from Gremio after he starred for Brazil at the recent U17 World Cup. (Transfermarkt)

– Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Manchester United midfield targets Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), but the Londoners are aware that both transfers could come with challenging fees upward of £100 million. (TEAMtalk)

– Aston Villa and Sunderland are among the clubs hoping to land 19-year-old Rangers star Bailey Rice on a free transfer this summer. (Daily Mail)

– Sunderland are keen to land former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio, with the 26-year-old hoping to return to the Premier League (iNews)

– Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has indicated that he would like to make permanent his current loan move to Sevilla, despite having two years left on his contract at St James’s Park. (Marca)

– Inter Milan lead a number of European clubs in their interest in Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, who is contracted until 2028. (Rudy Galetti)

– Inter Milan center back Stefan de Vrij, 33, is a target for Nottingham Forest and is out of contract in the summer. Football Insider)

– Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is eyeing a return to Europe following the end of his contract with Mexican club Monterrey, with AC Milan interested in signing the 39-year-old defender. (Calciomercato)

– AC Milan are keen on signing prolific striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace, who has indicated that he could be interested in a move away from the Premier League. (TalkSPORT)

– English clubs have joined Juventus, Inter and AC Milan in their admiration of Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham could leave the club after just five months and French side Paris FC are interested, though Dortmund would only consider a loan. (Mirror)



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The Terps are finally healthy. Good thing: Big Ten play is next.

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Maryland had its ideal starting lineup in place for Tuesday’s 89-63 win over Wagner. A trip to Iowa is next.



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Sources: Cal targeting Oregon DC Lupoi as coach

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Sources: Cal targeting Oregon DC Lupoi as coach


Cal is targeting Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to become its next football coach, with a process expected to lead to his hiring in the coming days, sources told ESPN.

Lupoi was widely expected to be the front-runner for the job after Justin Wilcox was fired last week. Lupoi played at Cal from 2000 to 2005 before starting his coaching career with the Bears in 2008 under former coach Jeff Tedford. It was during that time Lupoi first developed a reputation as an elite recruiter.

Lupoi has spent the past four seasons in Eugene, Oregon, as Dan Lanning’s defensive coordinator. Before that, he spent three years as a defensive line coach in the NFL, after a five-year stint on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama (2014-18), with the final season as defensive coordinator.

Over the past week, several high-profile former Cal players have advocated publicly — and privately to Cal general manager Ron Rivera — for Lupoi to be the hire.

Lupoi is also from the Bay Area, having attended high school football power De La Salle during its record 151-game winning streak.

Cal qualified for a bowl game for the third straight season but has not had a winning record in conference play since Tedford was the coach in 2009, a period that includes four seasons under Sonny Dykes before Wilcox for the past nine.

The Athletic first reported Cal was in negotiations with Lupoi.



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