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The experienced duo, now together as openers, are transforming Bangladesh’s white-ball batting approach

Mohammad Isam29-Mar-2023Litton Das sped to 54 at the end of the sixth over on Wednesday. Bangladesh were on 83 for no loss, two runs more than what they made at this stage of the first game on Monday. The Ireland bowlers was already looking ragged. Rony Talukdar, Litton’s opening partner, though was yet to make his mark on this partnership.At the start of the seventh over, he went down on his knees to hit legspinner Gareth Delany for a six over long-on, followed by another over midwicket. The Delany over went for 16 runs, before Litton completed the century partnership with a reverse sweep, off the first ball of the eighth over.The unlikely batting pair, which only came together couple of weeks ago during the T20I series against England, was attacking from both ends. This is really, genuinely unique. It is not something the Bangladesh fans are used to seeing from their T20I openers. For those who have followed the number of opening pairs. Bangladesh have tried – in the last 12 months – and know very well the frustration attached to the search.The selectors’ faith on Mohammad Naim or the hope carried by Parvez Hossain Emon and Munim Shahriar, have all ended up as disappointments. Even Mehidy Hasan Miraz was tried a few times as an opener. As with everything else in his career, Mehidy tried his best but an opening spot was never going to be Mehidy’s permanent role. So the search continued. Soumya Sarkar’s career was resurrected during the T20 World Cup last year, but that plan, too, fell through.Litton and Rony added 124 runs in the second ODI, making it Bangladesh’s biggest opening partnership. They did it in just 9.2 overs, also making it Bangladesh’s fastest 100-plus stand for any wicket. In just five partnerships, Litton and Rony have reached 300 runs together, something that has taken the other three pairs at least 13 innings to achieve.

“I don’t think about records. It is a good feeling to get the fastest fifty, but I would have felt better had I scored a hundred.”Litton Das after getting Bangladesh’s fastest half-century

Three things have immediately stood out about the Litton-Rony partnership. This is a busy pair, in not just hitting fours and sixes. They conceded only six dot balls during the 124-run partnership. In the first T20I, they played out seven dot balls in a 91-run stand.Secondly, they are matured openers who know how to use the circle during the powerplay. The pair’s individual powerplay numbers are quite impressive. Litton has the best strike-rate in the world (142.57) among those who have faced at least 700 balls in the field restrictions. He is a shade above Quinton de Kock (141.51) and Mohammad Shahzad (140.47) and a few more points ahead of the likes of Alex Hales and Rohit Sharma. Litton’s T20 batting has always been effective for Bangladesh, but it would usually come in patches. When his form hit top gear in 2022, it improved his T20 consistency too.Rony Talukdar is enjoying a purple patch following the BPL•AFP/Getty ImagesRony, making a comeback after nearly eight years, is matching Litton’s strike-rate in the last two T20I series. He has come into the senior side on the back of a strong BPL campaign for Rangpur Riders, so form is also on his side.Litton said that the change in opening partnership has brought Bangladesh better performances. He said that it may not go so well every day, but they are enjoying each other’s company. He said that it didn’t take both too long to figure out how they were going to bat in the second T20I.”It (the opening pair’s performance) changed because the partner changed,” Litton said. “I think we added the highest opening partnership. There’s nothing like it, but this won’t happen every day. We can’t hit like this all the time. There will be a period of struggle, but I am really enjoying batting with him. You get the feel after facing one or two balls. We both had the same ‘feel’ that we can go after the bowling today. We took advantage of that.”He said that he wasn’t aware of breaking Mohammad Ashraful’s 15-year old fastest fifty record for Bangladesh, but believed that had he tackled with a bit more patience towards the end, he could have got his maiden T20I hundred.”I don’t think about records. It is a good feeling to get the fastest fifty, but I would have felt better had I scored a hundred. I think was rushing it. Their spinners were bowling well, taking advantage of the wicket. If I played their pacers a little more, I could have scored a hundred instead of scoring 83,” he said.The other critical factor about this pair is the handover they have in terms of big hitting. It’s not just one-way traffic. After Litton has taken a big over, Rony doesn’t relent at the other end by merely taking a single to give Litton back the strike. Rony tries a few big hits himself, to continue piling on the pressure.Their powerplay numbers in the last two T20I series is their best in ten years. But Litton was quick to warn that they cannot be expected to do this in every game.”We are playing well as a group. Batting, bowling and fielding. I don’t think one can play better than this. We will try to hold on this level consistently, which will give us good results. It is difficult to expect better cricket than this. You won’t score 70-80 in the powerplay of a T20 every day. If we can get 60, that’s also good,” he said.But an opening pair that has already done so well against a world champion side and the side that beat the world champions only recently, there will certainly be high hopes. Rony and Litton are mature characters who understand the responsibility of those expectations. Litton is regarded as the best batter in the team who is excelling in all three formats. Rony is thriving after an unlikely second chance in the Bangladesh team, something that he probably didn’t considered even three months ago. This random mix could just be the key that unlocks Bangladesh’s T20I fortunes.

In Pakistan, no one seems more capable of destroying an attack. But no one’s place has been under as much scrutiny either

Danyal Rasool08-Apr-2021Fakhar Zaman occupies an odd place in Pakistan cricket. He is, at once, a man whose role is so unique that just about no one else in Pakistan can replicate it, but also the batsman whose place in the side is only as secure as his last couple of performances. When he finds himself in the zone, few other batsmen in world cricket look as capable of sending every delivery over the heads of any fielders placed between long-on and midwicket. Equally, when that confidence dips, no other Pakistan cricketer finds himself needing to prove they have the technical mettle to compete at this standard.Just a week ago, he had to prove that point all over again. After becoming the fastest man to 1,000 runs in ODI cricket history (18 innings), he had partaken in another 29 without doubling that tally. He fell early on in the first ODI, chopping a ball back onto his stumps when targeted in that tight off-stump channel, and questions about his place in the side were openly being asked.Related

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And then, Zaman found himself in the zone once more. He made 294 runs over the next two innings, including a record-breaking 193 in Johannesburg, and reminded everyone once again why Pakistan have such unshakeable faith in him.”There’s no player who hasn’t been through a bad time,” Zaman told a virtual press conference. “You learn through those lean spells. i was just waiting for some time off where I could work on my game. Because of Covid-19, there was no cricket last year, so I worked on my game a lot. I was just trying to control what was in my hands – otherwise whether you do well or poorly people will criticise you anyway.”Criticism in Pakistan can be vicious, often coming not just from supporters and media but also former cricketers. One of those, former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed, made headlines recently when he suggested Zaman’s heroics in the second ODI had more to do with fortune than skill. When the question was put to him, Zaman said criticism from outside “doesn’t matter to me”.”If somebody does criticise you, you become stronger,” he said. “The people who supported me through the lean times, I just want to thank them. I’ve played enough cricket to understand it. The Test cricketers who’ve criticised me understand it very well, too. Maybe I haven’t been able to satisfy them yet, but I’ll continue to try.”While Zaman will understandably scoop up the bulk of the awards and the attention, his opening partner for much of his career, Imam-ul-Haq, has enjoyed a similarly impressive ODI run, something Zaman drew attention to. While Zaman was the quickest to 1,000 ODI runs, Imam only took one more innings to bring up that milestone, with the current Pakistan opening pair occupying the top two spots in that list. He has seven ODI hundreds already, one more than Zaman, and his average of 51.73 is the highest for a Pakistani opener. He scored two half-centuries this series, and Zaman said the two “understand each other’s game”.Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq run between the wickets•Getty Images”I’ve played alongside Imam a lot, even with Habib Bank in domestic cricket. We understand each other’s games. When I played a handful of games, Imam emerged onto the national scene too. He’s a magnificent player, the way he reads the game and situation. He plays within his own limitations, which is a sign of a great cricketer, to understand what he can and can’t do.”It’s not just this tournament that our top order has been doing well. Misbah told us we were the specialist openers and our places in the side were secure. So we came in here expecting to be the two openers. It’s cricket, and anything can happen, but the management continues to be very happy with us and back us.”Some of the more discerning followers of Zaman’s career have pointed out that the approach he took in this latest series was markedly different to the one that defines him. Rather than trying to bludgeon right from the outset, Zaman appeared wary while negotiating the first Powerplay. In the second ODI, he took 70 balls to reach his half-century, while in the decider, he needed 62, with Imam beating to the milestone.Zaman said that didn’t so much signal a shift in his approach, revealing it was more a product of where the series was being played. “In South Africa, the wickets are different to anywhere else in the world, especially with the new ball. You can’t just go out and play your shots like you can in England or Pakistan. You have to see off the new ball here, and that was our plan. If the bowler makes a mistake, you punish them, but otherwise you have to take a more circumspect approach.”

“If somebody does criticise you, you become stronger. The people who supported me through the lean times, I just want to thank them. I’ve played enough cricket to understand it.”Fakhar Zaman

Zaman attempted to draw a line under the most contentious moment of the series: the run-out in the final over of the second ODI that denied him a second ODI double-hundred, and possibly a chance to win a historic game for Pakistan. He stuck to what he had said in the immediate aftermath, and termed it “my fault completely”, absolving Quinton de Kock of any blame in the matter.”I’ve said before that run-out was my fault. I’ve played a lot of cricket and these situations can happen. I don’t hold Quinton de Kock responsible at all. If I say I got out because of him, that’s an excuse and at this level, if you’re giving excuses, that’s not appropriate. I should have been aware of my end. I really did want to score 200, but only if it meant we won the match. Otherwise it didn’t matter quite so much.”Last year, Zaman, who was part of the Pakistan Navy before he getting involved with Pakistan cricket, was honorarily promoted to Lieutenant, and today Zaman called it “an honour and a dream. I felt after that that I had to live up to the responsibility. The Navy’s had a huge role in my career, and how they’ve taken on ownership of me has helped immensely.”For a while, Zaman had looked like he was all at sea when out in the middle. But, drawing guidance, perhaps, from the instincts his first career will have instilled in him, he has managed to turn that ship around very effectively indeed.

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in their attempts to catapult themselves closer towards Premier League glory.

However, they’ve found out first hand that spending big money doesn’t equal immediate success, with numerous players unable to have the desired impact in North London.

In the summer of 2019, the Lilywhites hierarchy forked out a then club-record £62m for the signature of French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele – but it would be a deal that proved to be a disaster.

He racked up 91 appearances during his five-year spell in England, but he was massively questioned over his lack of fitness and constant attitude problems under various managers.

As a result, the club let him leave for nothing last summer, subsequently joining Nice on a free transfer and departing as one of the club’s worst signings in history.

However, one other huge addition will be hoping he doesn’t endure the same fate after his own transfer to join Thomas Frank’s side during the recent transfer window.

Mohammed Kudus' immediate impact at Spurs

In one of his first moves as Spurs manager, Frank decided to fork out a reported £55m for the signature of winger Mohammed Kudus from London rivals West Ham United.

The Ghanaian featured for the Hammers over a two-year period before moving across the capital, with real hope he could provide a new dimension to the Lilywhites’ attack.

He may have only featured in nine games to date, but the 25-year-old has already made an immediate impact in North London throughout 2024/25.

The attacker has registered four assists to date – the most of any player in the squad – highlighting his ability to create endless opportunities for those around him.

However, he also recently netted his first goal for the club in the last outing against Leeds United, with such a strike securing all three points for Frank’s men.

It may only be early days in his career with Spurs, but Kudus has already demonstrated his quality and is arguably making himself one of the first names on the teamsheet.

However, despite his impressive form in North London, he’s now valued lower than one player who joined the club for a fee lower than his in recent times.

The Spurs star who’s valued more than Kudus

Spurs’ Europa League triumph last campaign is evidence that their work in the transfer market has been hugely effective, despite also wasting huge amounts of money on players not at the level required.

Bargain additions such as Lucas Bergvall had huge parts to play in their recent European triumph, with the Swedish international exceeding everyone’s expectations throughout 2024/25.

He only joined last summer for a reported £8.5m from homeland club Djurgarden, with very few supporters expecting the 19-year-old to have an immediate impact in the first-team.

However, the injury crisis allowed the youngster to stake his claim for a regular starting role, racking up 45 appearances across all competitions in his debut year.

His talents catapulted the club to the Europa League title, which has seen them qualify for the Champions League – allowing them to attract world-class talents to Frank’s side.

As a result, the hierarchy completed the £52m signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in the closing stages of the summer window – finally ending their hunt for a new number ten.

The Dutchman arrived with huge expectations after his form in the Bundesliga last campaign, subsequently ending the year with 17 combined goals and assists in just 25 outings.

However, his time in England is yet to take off, only registering one assist in his first seven outings – but he will certainly need time to settle, given he’s just 22 years of age.

It’s not stopped Simons from receiving heaps of praise from numerous high-profile names, with one analyst even labelling the youngster as a “phenomenal” talent.

He’s also seen his market value soar in recent months after his transfer, with CIES Football Observatory now valuing the sensation at a staggering £97.3m.

Such a figure is nearly two times higher than the fee paid for Kudus this window, further highlighting how highly rated the Dutchman is despite his early struggles in the Premier League.

Whilst Kudus has hit the ground running, he does have prior experience in England’s top-flight, with Simons likely to have the same impact in the near future once he’s settled.

However, there’s no denying the Lilywhites have a potential world beater on their hands, with the prospect of the aforementioned starring together for years to come a hugely exciting one for the fanbase.

The "Irish Isak" is heading to Spurs and he could become their new Kane

Tottenham have continued their trend of signing elite youth prospects to underlay the first team.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 9, 2025

Arsenal are one of several team scouting a promising young defender who’s been likened to standout stars Gabriel and William Saliba.

Saliba and Gabriel injuries force Arteta to rely on depth

Mikel Arteta’s squad has been tested by injuries once again in recent weeks, with both first choice centre-backs missing time while Jurrien Timber suffered a knock in midweek and Ben White has only just returned from a long absence.

“We have to wait and see,” Arteta said about Saliba ahead of the clash with Wolves, confirming the France international will be fit to face Everton next weekend.

Gabriel meanwhile has been missing since the November international break, when he sustained a thigh injury while on Brazil duty, but was spotted in London this week spectating a fiery six-aside match.

“He didn’t look injured when he sprinted across the pitch to get involved,” an onlooker said after the Brazilian took offence to a horror tackle in a friendly match organised between Botafogo fans.

£150,000-a-week Arsenal star "sees red" and "flies off the handle" in new footage

The Gunners star lost his cool during the incident in London this week.

By
Ben Goodwin

2 days ago

Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera have performed admirably in the first-choice duo’s absence, but Mosquera has since joined them on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and Arsenal are now scouting options to reinforce Arteta’s options.

Arsenal eyeing move for Ousmane Diomande

According to Caught Offisde, the Gunners are one of several sides scouting Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been in attendance to keep tabs on the 22 year-old defender this season, who has been dubbed “a hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” by Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Sporting don’t want to sell Diomande and are directing clubs to his €80m (£70m) release clause, but that is seen as “less” problematic for big teams than some other suitors, such as Crystal Palace.

Scout Jacek Kulig has long been an admirer of the defender, saying back in 2023: “You rarely see a player with such high ball-playing and pure defender skills.

“There are some tactical improvements but I’m quite sure this kid will play for the best teams in the world.”

That admiration has remained as the youngster has developed too, with Kulig saying earlier this year: “A fantastic CB to watch with a huge future ahead.”

If Diomande is willing to sit behind the starting pair and learn his craft, he could both provide immediate depth and futureproof a position that is absolutely crucial to Arteta’s demanding style of play.

The Baltimore Orioles on Saturday fired manager Brandon Hyde amid a disappointing start to the 2025 season. Many of the Orioles players, feeling responsible for the club's lackluster 15-29 start to the season, were gutted that Hyde lost his job as a result of Baltimore's underachieving play. It was clear how much of an impact Hyde left on the players, both professionally and on a personal level.

"He’s put me in a lot of great positions to succeed, and I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done,” shortstop Gunnar Henderson told MLB.com. “I hate it for him and his family."

"It’s really tough. He’s the only manager I have played for in the big leagues so far, and obviously, I’m so grateful for the opportunity that he gave me,” infielder Ramon Urías said. “We’re going to miss him as a person."

Showing a maturity beyond his years, Orioles' 21-year-old infielder Jackson Holliday took responsibility for the players' role in Hyde's firing.

"I think everyone understands that. He’s not the one playing the games. We’re the ones playing the games," Holliday said. "We haven’t lived up to our expectations, and it’s difficult."

While it's worth noting that the Orioles' spending habits haven't done Hyde any favors, it's also alarming just how much the club has regressed under the 2023 American League Manager of the Year. Baltimore, which won 101 games just two years ago and featured one of the most productive young lineups in the big leagues, has scored the sixth-fewest runs this season. The club also has the third-worst ERA in the majors and has been a below-average defensive team.

It remains to be seen if the Orioles will fare better under interim manager Tony Mansolino. In the first game with Mansolino as skipper on Saturday, the Orioles were down 7-0 after just two innings en route to a 10-6 defeat at the hands of the Washington Nationals.

Leeds United are eyeing up one manager who has wins over Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel and Ange Postecoglou to replace Daniel Farke.

Farke under pressure at Leeds after Nottingham Forest defeat

The Whites and Farke headed into the international break following two Premier League losses on the road to Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

Conceding three goals at the AMEX and the City Ground, Leeds now find themselves just one point clear of safety and have an extremely tough run of fixtures when club football returns.

Leeds’ upcoming fixtures

Date

Aston Villa (h)

November 23rd

Manchester City (a)

November 29th

Chelsea (h)

December 3rd

Liverpool (h)

December 6th

Brentford (a)

December 14th

Crystal Palace (h)

December 21st

Sunderland (a)

December 28th

There has been plenty of speculation on Farke’s future following the defeats in recent week, but journalist Graeme Bailey insisted the 49ers Enterprises intend to give him until January to turn things around.

Bailey said: “Pressure is mounting on Daniel Farke – but he knew this was coming and the club did too. This is going to be a long season. Everyone was aware. They didn’t spend the tens of millions that Sunderland did.

“They know Farke can only do so much with the squad at his disposal. But the quality of performance and how they compete is going to be vital in the coming weeks.”

There have been a number of managers mooted with an Elland Road move to replace Farke, should the 49ers make a change, including Liam Rosenior of Strasbourg and Valencia’s Carlos Corberan, a former assistant to Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds eyeing up move for Marco Rose

Now, according to Football Insider, former RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose is firmly on Leeds’ radar.

The outlet then relayed comments from former scout Mick Brown, who said it would be a “gamble” to appoint someone like Rose.

“I have no doubt Marco Rose is on Leeds’ radar. Their links with Red Bull make that a possibility for Leeds, so it’s certainly an option they might look to explore if they do decide to make a change.

“But personally I would be surprised if he was the person they chose to help them. If they decide to sack Farke, it will be because they’re at risk of getting relegated, so I don’t think taking a gamble on a manager like Rose would be right for them.

“He doesn’t know the Premier League, and it might be a cliche, but that’s what Leeds will be looking for. There was talk about Farke during the summer and whether he could go, because they wanted somebody with experience of being successful in the Premier League.

“So if they decide to sack him now, I expect that’s what they’re going to look at.”

The 49-year-old, who plays a 4-4-2 system, is currently out of work after leaving Leipzig back in March.

Rose does have wins over the likes of Glasner, Tuchel and Postecoglou on his CV and revealed what style of play he likes his sides to have.

Could that be at Leeds?

He's got a "bit of Bielsa": Leeds could sack Farke for "mental" 4-3-3 coach

Afghanistan survived a brief scare from Muhammad Waseem to ultimately secure a comfortable 38-run victory, their first of the competition, on Monday. As so often, it was Rashid Khan who led the way for them, his 3 for 21 derailing the UAE at a critical juncture midway through their innings just when they looked to have made a fist of chasing 189. He also became the highest wicket-taker in men’s T20Is in the process.That target was set thanks to half-centuries from Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, whose 84-run partnership put their side on course after the early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. UAE turned in a better bowling performance than they did against Pakistan, with their seam bowlers keeping Afghanistan quiet for the most part through the powerplay and then in phases during the middle overs, but paid the price for losing their discipline at the death. A priceless cameo from Karim Janat in the penultimate over meant 22 runs were added, and helped Afghanistan finish above par.UAE rely so often on Waseem for a realistic shot, and that’s exactly what he provided as he flew out of the blocks. They suffered none of the early difficulties Afghanistan had at the start as they stayed ahead of the asking rate thanks largely to their captain. But it always had the feel of a solo effort, and when he was dismissed, no one could replicate that scoring rate, and Afghanistan had enough on the scoreboard, and with the ball, to make the win look cushier than it once looked.

Early jitters

The pressure was squarely on Afghanistan at the start, having lost the toss and beginning the day at the bottom of the table. That pressure was compounded after Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Rohid got through three tight overs that allowed just 16, before Rohid drew an edge from a struggling Gurbaz to send him on his way. Atal and Ibrahim saw through a further couple of overs with the first five overs of the powerplay decisively going the home side’s way.

Afghanistan turn it around

But UAE introduced seam bowler Saghir Khan for the final over of the powerplay, and the pair saw an opportunity. A slot ball first up was whipped over midwicket, and Saghir’s lengths didn’t improve as the over went on. Afghanistan plundered 18 from it, and it set the partnership on its way.Atal picked his moments through the remainder of the partnership, finding a four or a six just about every over, with Ibrahim cashing in when Dhruv Parashar sent down an errant over. It wasn’t until the Afghanistan 100 was brought up that UAE finally broke the partnership, but with eight overs to go, Afghanistan had the platform they needed to launch.Ibrahim Zadran made 63 in 40 balls•Emirates Cricket Board

Dash at the death

And launch they did. Throughout much of the innings, UAE had held on to Afghanistan’s coattails, making sure they never pulled too far ahead. That faded in the final four overs, though, as the wheels came off for the hosts and Afghanistan’s lower-middle order plundered 49 off the following three overs.Azmatullah Omarzai – whose cameo was pivotal to his side’s acceleration – triggered the gear change with a six over the on side, with Ibrahim matching him later in the over. Omarzai would go after Saghir too, but it was Janat’s takedown of Rohid – who had given away just 12 in his first three and taken two wickets – that took the game out of the UAE’s hands. Two sixes and two fours saw Rohid bleed 22, and though Siddique would follow with a sensational final over, the damage by now had been done.

Rashid triggers implosion

Talismanic captain Waseem had put UAE on course with another excellent display that combined power with timing and judiciousness, keeping up with the asking rate without appearing to take too many risks. There were imperious signs that belligerence would continue unabated when he piledrove Rashid for a straight six over the sight screen in his second over; by the end of the ninth over, they required just over nine with eight wickets still in hand.All of that changed in four deliveries. Waseem miscued one off Sharafudin Ashraf and was gone for a 37-ball 67, leaving Asif Khan to try and repeat the heroics that came in vain against Pakistan.The first ball he faced off Rashid, though, Asif misread the turn, and found his off stump rattled. UAE’s two main attacking threats gone and the asking rate climbing, Rashid sliced through the batting, polishing off Ethan D’Souza and Parashar to finish his spell. By now, the asking rate had climbed to nearly 16, and only an unbeaten half-century from Rahul Chopra, achieved with a six off the game’s final ball, reduced Afghanistan’s margin of victory.