Suryakumar Yadav has dismissed the notion that an India vs Pakistan clash is a rivalry anymore. He was responding to a question on whether Pakistan raised their standards on Sunday night compared to their opening bout last week – which they lost by seven wickets, with 25 balls to spare.”I would like to say one thing on this question. I feel that you should stop asking this question on the rivalry,” he said, before being reminded the question wasn’t about rivalry at all.For the record, India have now beaten Pakistan in seven straight games [in men’s internationals alone] since their previous loss to them at the Asia Cup in 2022 in Dubai.Related

• SKY fall: Suryakumar's slump becomes starker amid off-field controversies

• BCCI lodges complaint with ICC against Farhan and Rauf

• Shaheen Afridi brushes off criticism as Pakistan eye Asia Cup final

• Similar goals, similar problems: SL, Pakistan resume borderline sappy yet competitive rivalry

• Agha on Fakhar dismissal: 'It did look like it bounced ahead of the keeper'

“Standards and rivalry are the same,” he continued. “According to me, if two teams play 15-20 matches and if [head-to-head] it is 7-7 or 8-7, then that is called a rivalry. But 13-0, 10-1….I don’t know what the stats are. But this is not a rivalry anymore. But yeah, I feel we played better cricket than them.”Prior to being asked about his take on the “rivalry”, Suryakumar highlighted what he felt was the game’s decisive phase – the halfway mark of Pakistan’s innings – with Pakistan 91 for 1 in ten overs, by far their highest half-time score in T20Is against India.It’s at this point that Suryakumar rallied his team around as the umpires called for a drinks interval. Post that, India managed to put the brakes on Pakistan with the next seven overs producing just 38 – the lowest tally for teams that have batted between overs 10-17 at this tournament.”According to me, the turning point was in the first drinks in the first innings,” Suryakumar said. “People changed their body language after that. You always see the game changes generally after the powerplay.”But today, the game changed after ten overs, when the bowlers changed their line and lengths, understood what was needed in that situation, and showed a little more energy. The spinners bowled well. And according to me, Shivam Dube’s spell, you can say that it was a turning point.”India haven’t lost to Pakistan in any format since the 2022 Asia Cup•AFP/Getty Images

This was only the third time in 38-match T20I career so far that Dube has bowled his full quota of overs. Dube’s spell helped make up for Jasprit Bumrah having an off-day. After conceding 34 off his three overs – his most expensive powerplay spell – Bumrah finished with figures of 4-0-45-0.It’s around Bumrah’s spell that Dube made big breakthroughs to finish with 2 for 33, including the wickets of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. Ayub’s wicket was crucial as it helped break a flourishing 72-run stand for the second wicket, off just 48 balls. Then in the 15th, he dismissed half-centurion Farhan with an off-cutter that he skewed to mid-off.”I think he has been working really hard on his bowling in all the practice sessions,” Suryakumar said of Dube. “And this was the perfect game where he got an opportunity. He always wanted to bowl at least two overs. And today he got to bowl his quota of overs, so he was very happy. And the way he delivered, I think he had very clear plans.”I mean, I am only batting in the nets when he bowls a lot. He bowls to all the proper batters. Sometimes bowls with the new ball. So his preparations are always on point. And whenever he gets an opportunity like this, like today, I think he will always be ready to deliver for the team.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O XV de Jaú venceu o Internacional por 2 a 1 nesta terça-feira (9), em partida válida pela 3ª rodada do grupo 12 da Copinha, no Estádio Zezinho Magalhães. Guilherme Said e Adati marcaram para os mandantes, enquanto Henrique descontou para o Colorado.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoBayern de Munique e outros times se despedem de Beckenbauer: ‘Nunca teria se tornado o clube que é hoje’Fora de Campo08/01/2024Mercado do EsporteConfira os maiores acordos de patrocínio máster no futebol brasileiroMercado do Esporte08/01/2024VascoVasco anuncia o empréstimo de David, do InternacionalVasco07/01/2024

Com esse resultado, o XV de Jaú terminou o Grupo 12 na liderança. Enquanto o Internacional, se classificou em segundo lugar.

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

⚽COMO FOI A PARTIDA?
O XV de Jaú abriu o placar cedo, Adati ganhou a disputa com a defesa. Guilherme Said ficou com a sobra e mandou um chutaço de fora da área. Minutos depois, o Internacional reagiu e Henrique empatou. Mas o time paulista rapidamente voltou à frente no placar e Adati marcou o seu, se atencipando após saída ruim do goleiro Colorado.

➡️ Internacional envia representante à Alemanha para fechar a contratação de Rafael Borré

Na segunda etapa, o time gaúcho foi para cima, mas parou no goleiro Caniato, que fez grandes defesas. Recuado, o XV aproveitava dos contra-ataques, mas não matou a partida. Mesmo não marcando o terceiro gol, a equipe do interior paulista saiu com a vitória.

continua após a publicidade

✅ O QUE VEM POR AÍ? 
Na próxima fase, o XV de Jaú encara o CRB. Já o Internacional enfrenta o Fortaleza.

➡️ Quando o elenco do Internacional se reapresenta para a temporada de 2024?

Tudo sobre

CopinhaInternacionalXV de Jaú

Tonda Eckert has been asked if he is hoping to become the next permanent manager of Southampton after guiding the club to a win over QPR on Wednesday evening.

It has hardly been the season that Southampton would have expected. In the 2024/25 campaign, they became the first team to be relegated from the Premier League with as many as seven games left to play. Even still, they were expected to be in contention for a swift return to the top flight.

Having established himself as a promising young coach in Ligue 1 with Reims and Lens, Will Still was appointed as Southampton’s new manager in May. Despite an influx of summer signings, however, Still struggled to have the impact he would have wanted at St Mary’s.

After just two wins in 13 Championship games, Still was dismissed following a loss to Preston, which was Southampton’s third successive defeat. In his place, Eckert was named interim boss as the club continue their search for a new manager.

Eckert answers questions about Saints future

Eckert’s first game in charge of the Saints was an away clash against Queens Park Rangers. The 32-year-old, picked out personally by sporting director Johannes Spors in the summer to take charge of their under-21s, guided Southampton to a 2-1 win at Loftus Road.

As reported by The Daily Echo, the young coach was then asked about his desire for the permanent job.

Evidently, Eckert is focused solely on guiding Southampton through their immediate future, with the club set to host Sheffield Wednesday in their next league game. Should they win, it would be the first time this season that they have won consecutive matches in the Championship.

Given their current position in the league, though, it would be a massive gamble for the Saints to hire a young and inexperienced manager, regardless of how much potential they may have.

Saints could turn to veteran to fill managerial vacancy

Sri Lanka have promised to field a “full-strength side”, and that might mean Maheesh Theekshana getting in keeping in mind the conditions in Dubai

Madushka Balasuriya14-Sep-20258:05

Should SL play Wellalage or Theekshana?

Big picture – Can Sri Lanka continue to play like ‘defending champions’?Prior to Sri Lanka’s tournament opener against Bangladesh at the Asia Cup, Charith Asalanka had reminded people that his team was, indeed, the defending T20 Asia Cup champions. A fact not strictly inaccurate but one that might have raised a few eyebrows when put in context: Sri Lanka’s form in major tournaments in the three years since that momentous victory has been less than stellar.But for Asalanka, the psychological boost that it had provided was something he was sure would spur his side on. And so it proved to be against Bangladesh on Saturday, when whatever confidence or motivation was being derived was on total display – they dominated a contest that was expected to be much more closely fought, and quite frankly looked every bit the champions.Related

No mystery spinner, no problem for Sri Lanka

How Martin Coetzee fell in love with Hong Kong cricket

Consistency, however, has been Sri Lanka’s Achilles’ heel, and against Hong Kong on Monday, they have a chance to build up a head of steam ahead of their final group game against Afghanistan.As for Hong Kong, two defeats already means they are out of the qualification reckoning, but they will no doubt want to bow out on a high note. And who better against the “defending champions”?While this Sri Lankan side seems to be ironing out weaknesses, their middle order is still on the soft side. Kamil Mishara has added some much-needed aggression, but in general there is still a heavy reliance on the opening pair of Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. Get them early and who knows what’s possible.Against both Afghanistan and Bangladesh, seamers Ayush Shukla and Ateeq Iqbal showed they can pick up wickets in the powerplay. Where the Hong Kong bowling struggled was in limiting scoring through the middle overs – a period Sri Lanka’s batters have been known to struggle. That heavy collapse against Zimbabwe just three games ago has also served to highlight this Sri Lanka batting line-up’s propensity to unravel, and with the pitch expected to be on the slower side, the stage is as set as can be for a low-scoring contest.But to be clear, Sri Lanka are overwhelming favourites and, considering their clinical performance against Bangladesh, are also right on top of their game. It’s an uphill task for Hong Kong whichever way you slice it, though not impossible.Ayush Shukla has shown he can pick up wickets early on•Getty Images

Form guideSri Lanka WWLWL
Hong Kong LLLWWIn the spotlight: Ehsan Khan and Wanindu HasarangaIf Hong Kong are to pull off an upset, their best path will be to limit Sri Lanka’s batting. While there are plenty of dangerous batters in the Sri Lanka line-up, their sometimes brittle middle order has no less than four left-hand batters – Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis. With offspinner Ehsan Khan being Hong Kong’s most prolific wicket-taker – 128 wickets in 94 innings at an economy rate of 6.29 – the match-ups are tailor-made.Wanindu Hasaranga didn’t look like he had missed a step on his return to the side against Bangladesh. His googly caused chaos as he ended with figures of 2 for 25, and it might have been more had heavy bails not been used with Jaker Ali surviving one that grazed his off stump. On a surface where spin has been at the forefront, it would take a special effort from Hong Kong to keep Hasaranga from adding to his 133 T20I wickets.Does Maheesh Theekshana fit into Sri Lanka’s “full-strength” side?•Getty Images

Team news: Will Maheesh Theekshana return?Hong Kong are likely to be unchanged, but with this being their final match of the tournament, it would be unsurprising to see some bench players get a game.Hong Kong (probable): 1 Zeeshan Ali (wk), 2 Anshuman Rath, 3 Babar Hayat, 4 Nizakat Khan, 5 Kalhan Challu, 6 Kinchit Shah, 7 Yasim Murtaza (capt), 8 Aizaz Khan, 9 Ayush Shukla, 10 Ateeq Iqbal, 11 Ehsan KhanSri Lanka have stated that they will go with a full-strength side, which means there are unlikely to be any changes in the batting unit. On the bowling front, there could be a return for Maheesh Theekshana as the pitch is likely to aid spin.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan ThusharaPitch and conditions: Spin, what else?The pitch in Dubai hasn’t necessarily proved conducive to high scores over the past year, with spinners generally finding conditions to their liking. For example, of the 17 wickets to fall in the Oman vs Pakistan game, nine fell to spin, while pace-off deliveries were regularly employed by the seamers.Stats and trivia This will be the first match between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong in any format in international cricket. The side batting first has won seven of the last ten T20Is played in Dubai. Sri Lanka last played in Dubai in 2022, in the final of the Asia Cup that they won. Nissanka’s 902 runs are the most by a player from a Full-Member nation in T20Is since the start of 2024.Quotes”We don’t want to take any chances. In this format, everybody is tough to beat. We will go with our full-strength side.”

Legendary former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has opened up on the possibility of a return to the club, with the Frenchman claiming that he can "never say no" to club president Florentino Perez. Benzema didn't rule out a reunion with his former employers, where he enjoyed a glorious 14-year spell before leaving for Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.

Benzema enjoying life at Al-Ittihad

Benzema has been having the time of his life in Saudi Arabia after achieving everything there was to achieve at club level following a glorious 14-year spell with Real Madrid. Signed on a three-year contract in 2023, Benzema has delivered success to Al-Ittihad while also becoming one of the pioneers of Saudi Arabian football. He fired Al-Ittihad to a domestic double last season, as his 25 goals across competitions helped the Tigers claim the Saudi Pro League and King's Cup titles. 

Since leaving Europe, Benzema has scored 46 goals in 75 games, and still looks in great form. His goal scoring numbers are on par with what he produced in his final few years at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, with the Frenchman into the final seven months of his deal in Jeddah, his future has become a topic of hot debate. 

In a recent interview, the 37-year-old opened up on his future, where he addressed a possible return to Los Blancos.

AdvertisementAFPBenzema open to Real Madrid return, but only on one condition

Speaking to , the French forward was asked if he imagined Real Madrid calling him for a possible reunion. He gave a pretty straightforward response, claiming that it could be possible as long as Madrid president Florentino Perez is at the club. 

"Why? (Laughs). He's someone I can never say no to. Florentino is special," he acknowledged. "If Florentino is still there, it could happen, it could happen. I talk to him and it's possible. I'm a Real Madrid fan. I feel it in my soul. Madrid is still my city, I feel like a Real Madrid fan and a Madrileno. We'll see what happens. If he's there…"

He added: "It will always be my team. I still watch the games whenever I can. It's the best club in the world. It always has been and it always will be. It's a team with a lot of potential that I think can do more than it's doing right now."

Benzema: A bona fide Real Madrid legend

Benzema's Madrid career began in the summer of 2009, when he was signed from Lyon. The Frenchman created history and broke several records at Madrid. He is one of the most decorated players in the club's history, winning 25 titles, which includes five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles. 

Benzema stands in fifth position as far as all-time Real Madrid appearances are concerned; the striker played in 648 games for the club and is the non-Spanish player with the highest appearances for the 15-time European champions. Not just that, he is also the second-highest goal scorer in Madrid's history, scoring a whopping 354 goals. No other player has had more assists for Madrid than Benzema's 165. His illustrious career in the Spanish capital culminated in him winning the Ballon d'Or in 2022.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat does the future hold for Benzema?

As things stand, Benzema's future in Saudi Arabia continues to be clouded in uncertainty. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, there's no news about a possible extension. However, Benzema has confirmed that he will continue playing for two more years.

"For the moment, I'm very happy here; they show me a lot of affection," he said. "Players, fans, coach, people who work here… I watch Real Madrid matches. I watch the Champions League and imagine what's next. The Champions League is magical. My contract here is nearing its end, that's true. I still can't say whether I'll stay or leave; it depends on many things. I'll be 38 in December. I see myself playing football for another two years. Physically, I'm fine, I work hard, and I'm playing football. I love football; I enjoy it. We'll see what happens, what the club thinks. I like to talk face-to-face and see what they think."

Benzema also hinted that a return to Europe cannot be ruled out, revealing that he has several offers from European outfits.

"The best thing for me is to continue here, but also not just stay for the sake of staying for a year or two," he added. "I can't do that. I think the level of football in the Saudi league is getting better and better. I've been here for three years now, and it keeps getting better and better. It's true that I have offers from Europe. I have to look at everything, choose wisely, and see where I feel comfortable, without forgetting that I feel good here and receive affection from everyone. But we'll see. They ask me for things, and I give them things. Everything's fifty-fifty, but there are things happening. I'm not going to quit football and stop competing in six months."

تحدث الدنماركي ييس توروب، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، عن أولى مواجهات الفريق بدور المجموعات ضد شبيبة القبائل الجزائري، في منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع شبيبة القبائل، مساء غد السبت، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الأولى من مباريات المجموعة الثانية بالبطولة الإفريقية

وقال توروب خلال تصريحات في المؤتمر الصحفي: “الأهلي يخوض مباراة شبيبة القبائل وسط أجواء مميزة بعد الفوز بكأس السوبر، وعودة اللاعبين الدوليين الذين تواجدوا برفقة المنتخبات المختلفة”.

وأضاف: “تركيزنا كبير في المباراة، وعملنا خلال الفترة الماضية على الاستعداد الجيد لها، فنحن نبدأ مرحلة جديدة في بطولة إفريقيا، والمباراة تمثل لنا أهمية كبيرة، فالفريق يسعى للفوز بجميع المباريات، خاصة التي تقام على ملعبنا، وأتمنى من جماهير الأهلي العظيمة أن تساندنا غدا لتحقيق الفوز”.

وتابع: “دائمًا أتمنى وجود أكبر قدر من الجماهير؛ لأن ذلك يمنحنا دوافع كبيرة، ويساعدنا على تحقيق أفضل النتائج”.

وعن موقف إمام عاشور، أوضح: “إمام عاشور تدرب بشكل جيد وحالته تحسنت كثيرا، ومن المهم اختيار الوقت المناسب لإشراك اللاعبين أصحاب الموهبة والمقومات الخاصة”.

طالع | كاف يجري تعديلًا على حكم مباراة الأهلي والجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

واستمر: “سبق لي التركيز على اللاعبين الشباب قبل أن أتولى تدريب الأهلي، حمزة عبدالكريم، لاعب موهوب وتدرب مع الفريق أمس، وهو لاعب موهوب والمهم بالنسبة للمواهب إظهار قدراتهم بشكل مناسب”.

وأشار إلى أن تركيزه منصب على تطوير وتحسين الأداء، والأهلي جاهز لمواجهة أي سيناريوهات، وهناك بعض الفرق التي تميل إلى الأداء الدفاعي بشكل أكبر من التحولات الهجومية، ولذلك نعمل على خلق الفرص بكثافة”.

وأكمل: “بالفعل قدمنا أداءً مميزًا في بطولة السوبر، وبعدها شارك عدد كبير من اللاعبين في المعسكرات مع المنتخبات، وقد عملنا خلال هذه الفترة على تقييم ما قمنا به، ولكني اعتدت عدم التوقف عند الماضي، لذلك طوينا صفحة بطولة كأس السوبر وتركيزنا أكبر على المباريات القادمة”.

وأردف: “أعرف تاريخ النادي الأهلي والضغوط العديدة التي تصاحب العمل به، ولكن الأهم هو تحقيق الانتصارات، وهو ما نعمل عليه بشكل مستمر، نقوم بتقييم أداء كل لاعب، ونعمل بشكل منظم ومحترف، ونقوم بالتنسيق مع المنتخبات المختلفة، ومع الوقت والعمل سويا سوف نحقق المزيد من البطولات”.

واختتم توروب تصريحاته: “التدريبات الأخيرة شهدت تواجد اللاعبين بشكل إيجابي، ولا توجد إصابات كثيرة، وهو ما يؤكد أن القائمة تضم عناصر جاهزة لخوض المباريات واختيار العناصر التي تتواجد في المباريات أمر يخص الجهاز الفني”.

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

Arsenal summer signing Eberechi Eze has opened up to former team-mate Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of GOAL’s Beast Mode On podcast and lifted the lid on his new life with the Gunners. The England international has explained which Arsenal player has impressed him the most so far and revealed what it's like to work with manager Mikel Arteta.

GOAL’s Beast Mode On Podcast, hosted by Adebayo Akinfenwa, welcomes guest Eberechi Eze to talk about life at Arsenal following his big-money move to the Emirates Stadium this summer from Crystal Palace.

Eze has joined a host of new recruits in north London in a squad packed full of talents and admits there's one player in particular who has caught his eye at the club. The England international has also revealed he's thriving playing in an environment when all the players are eager to improve.

• Eze thriving at Arsenal after summer move

  Eze swapped Crystal Palace for Arsenal in a £60 million move as part of a big-spending summer by the Gunners who also brought in stars such as Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera. The winger has gone on to feature regularly for Mikel Arteta's side and appears to have settled into life quickly with the Gunner, scoring twice already in the Premier League. Eze has now opened up on his journey to becoming an Arsenal and England star.

Advertisement

• GOAL
  

  Eze lifts lid on 'special' Arsenal team-mate

  Speaking exclusively to GOAL's Beast Mode On podcast, Eze said: “Everyone is sort of what you expect them to be. The expectation of all the players is high. I'll say one player who has gone even beyond the high expectation I already had – because I'd heard good things about him – was Jurrien Timber. He's a special player and a special guy. 

  “I think for me, in an environment of people and you have a culture that is geared towards improving, these guys all want to improve. So for me it's a pleasure to be part of it and to see guys like him who perform the way they perform, who carry themselves the way they carry themselves. It’s inspiring, for sure.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Incredible' Arteta creating 'special place' at Arsenal

  Eze also spoke about working with Arteta. The Arsenal boss currently has his team four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table also topping the standings so far in the 2025-26 Champions League.

  Asked what it’s like working under the Spaniard, Eze said: “He’s incredible. Attention to detail, how much I’m learning so fast, the type of player I know I’ll become (under him), the culture he’s created… It’s a special place to be right now, for sure.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Watch the full episode

Fast bowler gearing up for the likely knockout game against Bangladesh on Thursday

Danyal Rasool24-Sep-20251:26

Aaron: Pakistan using three pacers up top made the difference

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has rejected the notion that the Pakistan T20I side was in any kind of downturn, pointing out that they had won all but one of their previous four series.Speaking after his three-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, which took Pakistan to victory in Abu Dhabi and put them within one win of playing back-to-back T20 Asia Cup finals, he said the team was “ready to face whoever” in their pursuit of a first Asia Cup title in 13 years.”It’s not that we’re not winning,” Afridi said. “We’ve won most of our last dozen games. It’s true we haven’t won against higher-ranked teams, but most of our recent games haven’t been against them. We were here to win the tri-nation series, and we won that. We are here to win the Asia Cup, and that’s all we’re focused on now.”In Abu Dhabi against Sri Lanka, it was the different tactical approach Pakistan took while bowling that stood out. For the first time in 13 matches, no powerplay over was bowled by a spinner. Medium pacer Hussain Talat was given three overs and his two wickets in his first over – the eighth of the innings – were among the game’s turning points. Talat later revealed he’d been told he would play a role with the ball, but it represented a departure from Pakistan’s recent tendency to give spin bowling prime slots through the innings.Related

Sloppy but unbeaten India storm into Asia Cup final

Abrarcadabra – the four-over spell that left Sri Lanka stupefied

Suryakumar: India vs Pakistan isn't a rivalry anymore

Abhishek: Didn't like Pakistan 'coming at us without any reason'

Afridi, who bowled three overs in the powerplay on Tuesday, said it did not mean Pakistan’s quicks were playing second fiddle to the slower bowlers. “I don’t think our fast bowlers are struggling, but in T20 cricket on good wickets, batters have the license to go after the quick bowlers. We’ve been trying to vary our bowling more, and that’s something I’m working on. We were getting swing. Early on, I got breakthroughs, removing two of their main players. That’s the kind of attacking cricket we want to play – get your main bowlers on and finish the game quickly.Despite an upcoming game against Bangladesh on Thursday, which could be a knockout for a place in the final, attention has already begun to focus on Sunday. The possibility of a first India-Pakistan final in the Asia Cup is suddenly looking a lot more likely. Afridi, too, had his eye on it but repeatedly pointed out that neither side had made it that far yet.Shaheen Shah Afridi: ‘I don’t think our fast bowlers are struggling’•AFP/Getty Images”Bangladesh has been playing good cricket of late,” he said of the only team to have denied Pakistan a T20I series win in the last four months. “Whenever you play such teams, you should try to strike first. You shouldn’t give them an opportunity. We’ll have to perform well in all three departments if we are to get past them.”The previous game did represent a stark contrast to Pakistan’s demeanor when compared to the one on Sunday. While there were warm handshakes and even embraces between the Pakistan and Sri Lanka players, against India, there appeared to be a coordinated intent to show their more bellicose side. There were several verbal spats on the field, particularly between India’s openers and Pakistan’s pace bowlers. The increased belligerence from Pakistan did not go unremarked upon by Indian opener Abhishek Sharma, who said Pakistan was “coming at us without any reason.”Following the game, India captain Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t resist a dig at the opposition, saying India’s recent dominance meant the game no longer constituted a rivalry. Afridi resisted the temptation to hit back when offered an opportunity.”That’s his opinion; let him say what he wants. Neither they nor we are in the final. We’ll see how things shape up for the final. We’re just here to win the Asia Cup, and we’ll give our all for that.”

Heading into the eighth inning of Sunday’s game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, it looked as though New York ace Max Fried had a no-hitter bid alive with six outs left.

Unfortunately for him, it turns out the Rays were able to record a hit before he even reached the mound for the eighth.

As the broadcast returned to cover the final two innings of action, announcer Michael Kay informed the viewing public that Fried’s bid for a no-hitter had been called off after the game’s official scorer changed a decision made earlier in the day.

“You see the line, and no you didn’t miss a batter. I am absolutely flabbergasted ladies and gentlemen,” Kay said. “The official scorer here at Steinbrenner Field, a man by the name of Bill Matthews has changed the Simpson E-3 into a hit while the Yankees were in the dugout. Just, unfathomable. You call it when it happens. You don’t wait three innings for it to go by, it’s just unbelievable.”

The broadcast then showed Matthews, with Kay saying, “He’s going to have a lot of questions thrown at him, and he’s going to have to give some pretty good answers. I can’t believe that this has happened.”

The play in question came in the sixth inning when Rays centerfielder Chandler Simpson reached first base after grounding a ball hard into the infield. Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt couldn’t field the ball, and the resulting play was initially ruled an error before the official change.

In real-time, it’s a call that could’ve gone either way, but probably leans hit. That said, once it’s been ruled an error for two innings, it feels tough to go back and say “actually, nevermind,” and that’s before you take into account that there was a no-hitter on the line.

Fans following the action online let their outrage be heard.

Fried’s sudden lack of a no-hitter was not the only strange call of the day, as umpires also ruled what looked like a clear home run from Aaron Judge to be a foul ball.

Despite the calls going against them, the Yankees secured a 4–0 win over the Rays to move to 14–8 on the season.