Sports
WATCH: Zaman Khan defends six runs in final over of BBL 15 thriller
Pakistan fast bowler Zaman Khan delivered a nerveless final over to guide Brisbane Heat to a dramatic three-run victory over Hobart Hurricanes in a Big Bash League (BBL) 15 on Wednesday.
The Hurricanes required six runs to win from the last over, but Zaman held his nerve, delivering a measured over under intense pressure.
The right-arm pacer began with a dot ball before allowing a single, immediately tightening the screws on the batting side.
The third and fourth deliveries were again dots, while on the fifth ball, Zaman struck with a wicket.
Zaman conceded just a single off the final delivery, with the over reading as “dot, single, dot, dot, wicket, single”.
In the match, the Heat posted 160-8 on the scoreboard in their 20 overs after they were asked to bat first.
Nathan McSweeney top-scored with 49 off 32 deliveries, while Matt Renshaw made 37 off 25 balls.
For the Hurricanes, Riley Meredith took three wickets, while Rishad Hossain and Nathan Ellis took a couple of wickets each.
Chasing 161, the Hurricanes fell three runs short as Zaman’s brilliant final over restricted them to 157 for 8 in 20 overs.
Ben McDermott scored 59 off 36 balls, followed by Beau Webster, who made 51 off 43 deliveries.
For the Heat, Xavier Bartlett picked up three wickets, Matthew Kuhnemann took two, while Zaman, Michael Neser and Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with a wicket each.
Sports
LaLiga side Celta Vigo put out plea to Madonna to find 1990 jersey
Spanish club Celta Vigo have called on Madonna and their club fans to help them end their 36-year search to find the team jersey that the global icon wore during her concert at their Balaidos stadium in 1990.
Madonna’s show on July 29 1990 in Vigo marked the first major international concert in the city and was one of the last stops on the pop star’s Blond Ambition European tour.
The LaLiga outfit said it wants to recover the “unique and irreplaceable garment” to add it to its historical archives.
“That night, the artist donned a Celta Vigo jersey with [former Celta defender Jose Manuel] Espinosa’s number 5 on the back,” a club statement said.
“This moment, captured by photographer Víctor de las Heras, became an iconic image in the history of the club and the city. After the performance, the jersey vanished, its whereabouts unknown ever since. Celta Vigo has now revealed that it had been searching for it privately for years, but the investigation stalled.
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“Thirty-six years later, the club is launching an appeal to all Celta Vigo fans to help locate the jersey, with the intention of adding it to its historical archives. For Celta Vigo, it is a unique and irreplaceable garment that forms part of its emotional heritage. For this reason, the club would appreciate any relevant information regarding the whereabouts of the shirt Madonna wore on stage at Balaídos. The following link has been provided to receive any information related to the garment.”
Celta president Marián Mouriño has also written an open letter asking Madonna for her help while explaining why that jersey means so much to the club.
“Your image with our shirt has become a myth and is part of the history of Celta that is also written off the pitch,” she wrote.
“Many see all this as a simple anecdote. But I like to think that nothing happens by chance. Although it was not the only shirt you wore on stage, that image began to shine in a different way over the years. Because we understand better what you defended back then: questioning the established and standing up to those who try to tell you what you can or cannot do.
“At the club that I preside over, we recognize ourselves in that way of being in the world.”
In the letter, Mouriño said her club will “dedicate a gesture of affection” to Madonna ahead of Friday’s home league game against Real Madrid with the intention of asking the singer: “Do you have it? If you know where it might be or want to help us, please contact us by private message.”
Sports
Summer transfer needs for all 20 Premier League teams
It’s never too early for clubs to be planning transfers. While the window might be closed, you can guarantee all 20 Premier League clubs are still working furiously behind the scenes to produce short lists, decide on targets and set their course for next season.
They won’t have all the answers yet — for many, those depend on relegation or European qualification — but what should they at least be thinking about? What do they already know needs addressing?
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Arsenal
NEED: Even more attacking juice
Arsenal spent £162 million to bring in Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke last summer to boost their attacking corps, but there’s a strong argument to be made that they still need more. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus experiencing severe injury issues and the club lacking a top-shelf left wing threat, they should be in the market for a forward of some sort.
Aston Villa
NEED: Plan for potential major departures
Aston Villa are operating on a very strict budget due to a UEFA settlement, so any move they make must be carefully considered. They are also in a tricky spot, given that one or more key players could conceivably depart the club, which means replacements would be required. Earning Champions League football may eradicate the need to make any deals they don’t wish to, but if they fall short, the likes of forward Morgan Rogers and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez will be eyed up by others. Villa need to know who they’ll target if this happens.
AFC Bournemouth
NEED: Figure out the center back situation
Bournemouth are facing all sorts of questions at center back for the second year running. The most important one revolves around Marcos Senesi, whose contract is set to expire this summer and has been linked with a series of top clubs, including Barcelona and Juventus. If the Argentina international left, would Veljko Milosavljević be ready to step up and start consistently? If not, the Cherries might need to sign two new defenders this summer (luckily, they’re very good at this).
Brighton & Hove Albion
NEED: A natural right back
Brighton may have drifted a bit this season, but when looking over their squad, there aren’t many issues to address from either a qualitative or quantitative perspective. One upgrade they could make is at right back, where they have plenty of options, but no specialist outside of Joël Veltman, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The Seagulls will also need to be ready and willing to sign a center midfielder if Carlos Baleba leaves the club.
Brentford
NEED: Carefully manage some departures
Brentford are in an incredible spot. The squad is good; they have a star striker in Igor Thiago (17 league goals), an excellent goalkeeper in Caoimhín Kelleher, and everything in between. If they finish in the European spots, they’ll need to add further to the ranks. If not, it might be time for some of the old guard — such as Ethan Pinnock and Rico Henry — to depart. Time will tell.
Burnley
NEED: Promotion players for next year
Likely doomed for relegation, Burnley’s eye should be on who can get them promoted from the second tier next season. They’ve got a looming issue in midfield, as Josh Cullen has torn his ACL, James Ward-Prowse has only replaced him on loan, and Florentino Luís may not wish to stick around.
1:51
Are Chelsea in serious financial trouble?
ESPN’s Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens react to Chelsea’s damaging UEFA European Club Landscape report.
Chelsea
NEED: Some veteran, steadying presences
Chelsea‘s policy of investing heavily in young players brings some great benefits — but also some noted negatives. Chief among those is a lack of maturity and discipline running through the squad, which has resulted in a whopping seven red cards in the league this season (no other team has more than three). While it might break from policy, it could be time for Chelsea to consider adding a few adults to the room.
Crystal Palace
NEED: Where do you even start?
Major uncertainties surround Palace heading into the summer. We don’t know who will take over from Oliver Glasner as manager, and the squad look short in multiple areas. If they stick with a back-three system, they’re probably in need of a center back and a right wing back. Regardless of the shape, they’ll have to sign some new center midfielders, as both Daichi Kamada and Jefferson Lerma are out of contract, and Adam Wharton is sure to command interest from top clubs.
Everton
NEED: A truckload of full backs
Everton need to sign at least two, perhaps even three, full backs this coming summer. None of James Garner, Jarrad Branthwaite or Jake O’Brien are naturally full backs, yet they’ve all played there recently as David Moyes lacks options. The only consistently available first-team full-back is Vitaliy Mykolenko, whose contract expires this summer. There’s no doubt they’d love to sign winger Jack Grealish permanently, too — once his loan from Man City expires — but that all depends on the fee.
Fulham
NEED: Future-proof the forward line
Fulham tried (and failed) to sign USMNT and PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi in January, which is an obvious hint as to what this summer’s priority might be. Raúl Jiménez’s contract is set to expire, as is midfielder Harry Wilson’s, while winger Samuel Chukwueze is only on loan (with an option to make the move permanent). This trio have scored 20 of the Whites’ 40 league goals; best figure out who stays, who goes and who needs to come in — and fast.
Leeds United
NEED: A new goalkeeper
Leeds got the vast majority of last summer’s recruitment right, but fumbled in one key area: between the posts. Lucas Perri, signed for €15 million from Lyon, struggled and lost his place to Karl Darlow, who has spent most of his career as a backup at this level. Expect the Whites to enter the market for a goalkeeper once again this summer.
Liverpool
NEED: Long-term solutions in defense
Jérémy Jacquet is on the way to Liverpool from Rennes for €60 million, and young Giovanni Leoni will recover from his ACL tear in time for next season, but there are still big questions hovering over this Liverpool defensive line. Center back Ibrahima Konaté‘s contract is set to expire, left back Andy Robertson nearly moved to Tottenham Hotspur in January, and all of their right backs appear to be injury prone. Big changes could be on the way.
Manchester City
NEED: A long-term solution at right back
Credit is due to Matheus Nunes, a midfielder who has converted into a solid right back. He has filled in admirably in the post-Kyle Walker era, taking up the mantle while City’s faith in academy product Rico Lewis has seemingly waned. But a club with City’s spending capacity should probably have a specialist to call upon, and it is the most obvious way to upgrade this XI over the summer.
0:59
Nicol: Manchester United haven’t been sensational under Carrick
Steve Nicol says Manchester United’s unbeaten run ending at the hands of 10-man Newcastle shows they’re still far from a perfect team.
Manchester United
NEED: You guessed it! Central midfield
Center midfield has been an area of concern at United for well over a year now, and the need to sign a player for this position has only intensified since Casemiro announced he will leave the club this summer. This could get really expensive — the club have been repeatedly linked with Nottingham Forest‘s Elliott Anderson, Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton and Newcastle United‘s Bruno Guimarães, among others — but the United higher-ups can’t put it off any longer.
Newcastle United
NEED: Defensive reinforcements … and a striker?
Newcastle’s forward situation needs figuring out. Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga cost a combined £167 million to sign last summer, but Eddie Howe has struggled to get them going. Do you give them another season, or spend again? Regardless of that call, the defensive line needs addressing. Of the center backs, only Malick Thiaw has been fit and available all season long, and the club badly need adequate cover for full backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento too.
Nottingham Forest
NEED: A manager and a consistent playing style
It’s hard to nail your recruitment when you go through four managers in one season — and those four managers all coach different playing styles. Forest have loads of players, several of which are excellent, and the thing they need the most is a consistent direction to travel in.
Sunderland
NEED: A forward and a left back
Newly promoted Sunderland have spent most of the campaign in the top half of the table, which is a miraculous achievement. This is a well built squad that, unlike last summer, does not need wholesale changes. If the Black Cats can spot a forward who can elevate this team, they should pounce. It’s also worth looking at cover for Reinildo at left back, who has missed time due to injury and suspension.
2:01
Will Igor Tudor save Tottenham from relegation?
ESPN’s Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens react to Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur
NEED: A progressive passing center midfielder
If Tottenham avoid relegation, they must take an axe to their midfield setup, which is chock full of runners and ball-winners — but curiously lacking in players who can pass the ball forward and through the lines. Many of their other issues will iron themselves out when key players return to fitness, but the midfield balance can only be fixed via the transfer market.
West Ham United
NEED: If they stay up, a defensive leader
West Ham are right on the precipice, but if they do manage to stave off relegation, they’ll need to add a defensive leader — likely a center back — to prevent the same desperate fight next season. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo loaned Axel Disasi from Chelsea in January to address this, but that’s only a short-term solution.
Wolves
NEED: Plan for the Championship
Wolves have shown immense spirit of late, with some fine results against bigger teams, but the smart move is still to plan for the Championship next season. They’ve already partaken in that by swapping out Jørgen Strand Larsen for Adam Armstrong in January and more moves of that ilk loom.
Sports
T20 World Cup hero Allen says New Zealand confidence high for final
Semi-final hero Finn Allen said New Zealand’s thumping demi-final win over South Africa was a “huge confidence booster” ahead of going for their maiden T20 World Cup title in Sunday’s final.
Opener Allen hit the fastest-ever T20 World Cup century, off 33 balls, to give his side a crushing nine-wicket win over South Africa and set up a final against India or England in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Allen blasted 10 fours and eight sixes as New Zealand raced to their victory target of 170 with 7.1 overs to spare at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
It was a bruising defeat for 2024 runners-up South Africa, who had been unbeaten in the tournament.
“They fight hard, they come hard at us, they’ve got good tall, fast bowlers and it makes it challenging for us,” Allen said of Aiden Markram’s South Africa.
“Their boys hit the ball hard, so to get one over them is a huge confidence booster for us going into Sunday. They’ve been the in-form team the whole tournament.”
The Auckland-born Allen rose to the occasion in the knockout match after ordinary outings in the tournament apart from his unbeaten 84 against the UAE in a group fixture.
Allen said his heroics in India would have kept his parents and the nation awake to cheer the team.
“I’m sure my parents are up watching the whole game. Hopefully they’re proud.
“But I think as a nation, I think hopefully everyone gets behind us and rallies around us for Sunday,” said Allen.
The final will begin at around 2.30am on Monday in New Zealand.
“Obviously, difficult time for people to watch back home but I’m sure people were keeping tabs on the game and hopefully they can get up and have a Monday off at work and watch the final.”
Allen put on 117 with opening partner Tim Seifert, who made 58, to pummel the opposition attack that included high-quality pacemen Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
‘Best seat in the house’
Seifert was the early aggressor as he raced to 41 off 21 balls before Allen took over and finished with two fours, two sixes and a four to raise his hundred and seal victory.

Allen said batting with Seifert makes life easy.
“He’s in incredible form, he’s an incredible player and I think he’s just showing the world what he can do,” said Allen.
“And I think that makes it easy for me to sit back and have the best seat in the house. So, yeah, it’s good fun batting with Timmy.”
New Zealand squeaked into the semi-finals on net run-rate ahead of Pakistan and lost to South Africa by seven wickets in the group stage.
But Allen said a five-match T20 series in India that the visitors lost 4-1 ahead of the World Cup prepared them for the grind.
“I think it shows the importance of that India series that the boys played before the World Cup,” he said.
“Five games on all black soil (pitches) and I think it just shows that as a team we get up for the fight (in) those important fixtures.”
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