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Pakistan’s captain felt ball-tracking had painted “a different picture” to the actual ball he faced from Kwena Maphaka

Danyal Rasool06-Jan-2025Pakistan captain Shan Masood believes a ball-tracking failure was at fault for his being given out lbw on the fourth and final day of the Cape Town Test match against South Africa. Masood, who scored 145 in Pakistan’s second innings, was ruled not-out by umpire Nitin Menon off the left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka’s bowling, and had the decision overturned on review when Hawkeye deemed the ball to be hitting off stump.Masood felt the pictures Hawkeye threw up did not align with the reality of what had happened off that delivery. “It’s simple,” Masood said after the end of the game. “It was an outswinger. If you see the ball that I was beaten by, it jagged away a long way. I was beaten on the outside edge, and it was shown as an inswinger. I was baffled by that to be very honest.”Related

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Masood, who had batted more or less chancelessly for over six hours over two days for his innings, had looked largely untroubled on the fourth morning until that delivery. Maphaka, bowling from left-arm over to the left-handed Masood, landed it on a length and got the ball to keep a touch low while straightening past the outside edge as Masood attempted to defend it, squaring him up and striking him on the back pad.Upon review, Hawkeye deemed the ball to have struck Masood in line with off stump, and did not show any significant deviation away from the stumps that would have saved him. “With the naked eye, you could see it felt like it was outside the line as well. I just felt it was a different picture. I didn’t get hit where Hawkeye was showing it to be hit. I was hit more on the outside of the leg than the inside; it shows it on the inside. That’s not an inswinger. I was beaten by an outswinger and that’s what the umpire thought as well, and that’s all I can say to that.”Masood made no attempt to conceal his displeasure when the pictures went up on screen. He stood rooted to the spot for an extended period, gesticulating in disagreement. When he did turn around to trudge off, he still wore an expression of anger and frustration. As he walked up to the pavilion, he once again gestured in an outward arc with his hands to mimic the movement of the ball.”It’s up to the administrators to see if that’s a fair decision or not, but I certainly felt that technology didn’t show the trajectory of how that ball was,” Masood said.Pakistan had ended on the right side of an lbw decision before lunch, also off the bowling of Maphaka. Saud Shakeel was rapped on the pad as the ball angled towards leg stump, and on that occasion, too, Menon had ruled it to be not out. South Africa did not review, with Hawkeye indicating it would have gone on to hit leg stump.

Wayne Rooney has explained how son Kai faced added "pressure" in Manchester United's academy when playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.

Teenage hopefuls following in famous footstepsAttract more attention than others of the same ageDifficult for them to escape the added attentionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo made a stunning return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021. His eldest son has followed the Portuguese GOAT around the world, spending time in youth systems at Real Madrid, Juventus, United and Al-Nassr.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo Jr got the chance to work with other famous offspring when linking up with the Red Devils. Kai Rooney formed part of the same age group, as did Michael Carrick’s son Jacey. They brought more eyes to games that would usually have sailed under the radar.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer admits as much, with Wayne seeing his first born have to cope with even more attention as attendance numbers for games featuring a collection of teenage hopefuls surged.

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Getty/InstagramWHAT ROONEY SAID

Speaking on podcast, the Red Devils icon said of the challenge facing those that come from a professional football family: "There's a bit more pressure on them as well.

"Kai and [when Cristiano] Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo's lads and Michael Carrick's lad were all on the same team.

"You go and watch and then all of a sudden there's like 10 times the amount of people that's normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there's a lot more pressure because they're coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff. They've got to be ready."

Arsenal are “very, very” interested in signing another marquee name after they eventually complete deals for both Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, and they’ve received an indication that he’d be open to joining.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 15, 2025

Mosquera will sign for Mikel Arteta’s side after Arsenal finally reached an agreement with Valencia over a total £17 million package, including add-ons, with the 21-year-old set to undergo medical tests at London Colney on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Sporting for Gyokeres after what seems like weeks of talks (David Ornstein), and both clubs are said to be ironing out the final details now.

As fans anxiously wait for any updates on the Swede, given their side’s glaring need for a prolific striker, Arsenal are waiting for the “final green-light” to sign-off on one of the summer’s biggest deals.

Credible reports indicate that Arsenal will set their sights on a central playmaker next, and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is right at the top of their agenda after talks with the England international’s representatives.

Arsenal are set to formally approach Palace over signing Eze (talkSPORT), but they could still also sign another winger despite already moving for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, who’s capable of playing on both the left and as competition for Bukayo Saka on the right (Ben Jacobs).

Arsenal get "positive" response from Rodrygo about joining from Real Madrid

This would apparently hinge on either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard leaving (Ben Jacobs), but BBC journalist Sami Mokbel has told the podcast ‘Latte Firm’ that Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains a player of serious interest.

According to Mokbel, Arsenal have been given a “positive” response from Rodrygo about potentially joining them, via his representatives, but he stresses this could be a very costly operation – which has the potential to reach £80 million.

“In terms of Rodrygo, Arsenal are very interested, very interested in him,” said Mokbel.

“I think they’ve spoken to the relevant parties connected to the player to see whether he’d be up for it. I think they’ve got a positive feedback, as I understand it, that he would certainly give it serious consideration.

“But what I, being absolutely frank, what I’m hearing is that the finances attached to that deal, not necessarily just the fee, but the fee will be hefty.

“I think you’re looking in excess of £70m, probably closer to £80m to get that deal done. I think the wages, he’s one of the European football elite players, right? So he will be commanding a big, big wage.

“So Arsenal can do it, but I think they need to be creative in how they can accomplish that deal, but also make sure that they’ve got money coming in to ensure that the books are balanced because as we’ve already spoken about, they really had a significant spend.”

The Brazilian racked up 14 goals and 11 assists in 54 appearances last season, but he was scarcely used by new manager Xabi Alonso at the Club World Cup.

His future will be a major talking point in the build up to deadline day, and a potential move to Arsenal hasn’t yet been ruled out by reliable sources.

England captain limps off field 10 days before first Test against Sri Lanka

Matt Roller11-Aug-2024Ben Stokes is a major doubt for England’s first Test against Sri Lanka after retiring hurt with a hamstring injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred on Sunday evening. He is set to undergo a scan on Monday which appears likely to rule him out of the three-match Test series.He ended the night on crutches, and was being assessed by medical staff on Sunday evening. “It doesn’t look great, unfortunately,” said Harry Brook, the Superchargers’ captain and Stokes’ England team-mate, after their win against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford. “I think he’ll be getting a scan tomorrow and we’ll see how he is.”Stokes ran through for a quick single early in the Superchargers’ chase and pulled up injured after completing the run. He was helped off the field by their medical staff and was seen clutching his hamstring on his left leg. He was at the non-striker’s end when Ollie Robinson, his Superchargers team-mate, attempted a scoop which he mistimed into the leg side, and scampered through for a single.He appeared to pull his muscle as he made his ground then collapsed to the ground and threw his gloves off in frustration. Harry Booker (strength and conditioning coach) and James Pipe (physiotherapist) immediately ran on to provide treatment. After Booker and Pipe helped him back to the Superchargers dugout, supporting his weight, Stokes was placed onto a stretcher and wheeled towards an ambulance.Related

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Around an hour later, Stokes was back in the dugout but had to use crutches when shaking hands with the Originals squad after Nicholas Pooran snatched a seven-wicket win with his innings off 66 not out. A Superchargers spokesperson said: “Ben Stokes is having his hamstring assessed. Further updates will be available from tomorrow [Monday].”The injury appears to put Stokes’ chances of playing in the first Test – which starts on August 21 in Manchester – in significant jeopardy. He has managed a chronic left-knee injury throughout the second half of his international career but returned to bowling earlier this year after undergoing surgery over the English winter.Stokes was due to play four group-stage games in the Hundred between England’s series against West Indies and Sri Lanka, with the possibility of staying with the Superchargers if they qualified for the knockout stages. He was dismissed first-ball by Tim Southee in his first appearance, made 2 off four balls in a rain-ruined match in Cardiff on Thursday, and now appears certain to miss their final group fixture against London Spirit on Tuesday.Stokes went down clutching his left hamstringEngland are already missing Zak Crawley for the Sri Lanka series due to a fractured finger. Dan Lawrence is set to open the batting in his absence, with Jordan Cox called into their squad as batting cover last week. Ollie Pope is their vice-captain, and would be the strong favourite to lead England for the first time in international cricket in the event that Stokes is ruled out.The Sri Lanka series is squeezed into a short timeframe, with two three-day gaps between Tests. England are then due to arrive in Pakistan in early October ahead of a three-match series which starts in Multan on October 7.

Cricket Scotland is braced for another bout of legal action from an aggrieved former player after Hamza Tahir, the 28-year-old left-arm spinner, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. In his retirement statement, Tahir declared that a fellow South Asian player had told him that, to succeed in the Scotland set-up, “you have to perform twice as well”.Tahir, 28, claimed 63 wickets in 48 matches for Scotland, including a best of 5 for 38 against Oman in 2019. However, he was omitted from the squad for the recent T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean, having been cut from Cricket Scotland’s list of contracted players in March.In his statement, Tahir declared that “enough is enough”, as he listed the grievances that had brought him to his decision, including a solitary appearance at a major international event, against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in 2021, and an allegation that a senior coach “used the P word several times” during a national tour in 2020.”This is only a snippet of the obstacles put in place of players of colour,” Hamza said. “In major tournaments such as World Cups I’ve always felt l’ve been held back and not allowed to go and showcase to the world what I can do, and make a name for myself on the world stage.”Tahir’s comments come amid a period of intense turmoil for Cricket Scotland, a body which was found to be institutionally racist two years ago, after complaints by two other former players, Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, prompted an independent review. The entire board resigned on the eve of the publication of the “Changing the Boundaries” report in July 2022, which listed 448 examples of racism and discrimination, of which just five have progressed to disciplinary procedures.In recent weeks, Cricket Scotland has been embroiled in a row with a further former player, John Blain, who claims he was “exonerated” of allegations of racist behaviour after receiving a letter from the former interim CEO, Peter Fitzboydon, in January, but subsequently accused the board of attempting to “rewrite history” in its reappraisal of that position.In a statement, Cricket Scotland reiterated its “utmost sympathy for anyone who has experienced discrimination whilst involved in our sport”, and thanked Tahir for being a “tremendous servant to the Scotland men’s national team”.Trudy Lindblade, Cricket Scotland CEO, added: “I sympathise with those who harbour a feeling of injustice, and we will continue to engage respectfully throughout the mediation process.”The only viable route to common ground is through independent mediation in order to achieve reconciliation. Only then can we speak openly and work together to provide an inclusive sport that we can all be proud of.”Ongoing instability and recrimination, played out in front of the media, will only cause further damage to relationships and reputations, and deepen the wounds that need to heal.”

Ipswich Town find themselves back in the Championship next term and could now pounce for one of the EFL’s brightest stars in their hunt for promotion, according to a report.

Ipswich Town look to replace Liam Delap

There were some encouraging signs in the Tractor Boys’ Premier League showing last season. Still, ultimately, they didn’t produce enough and find themselves in the second-tier desperate for another bite of the top-flight cherry.

Liam Delap’s £30 million move from Ipswich to Chelsea has given Kieran McKenna plenty of leeway in his hunt for a new centre-forward. At the same time, he will have also been encouraged by George Hirst’s maiden goal for Scotland against Liechtenstein last week.

Atlanta striker Emmanuel Latte Lath emerged as an early contender to replace Delap at Portman Road. Despite only joining Atlanta United in January, he could now be set for a quickfire return to English football.

Addressing their striker hunt, Craig Finbow believes Ipswich could look to recruit two forwards this summer in an attempt to freshen up their frontline before the close of play.

He stated: “It could well be two strikers that they look to get in and that will be the intriguing part. What do we do, do we potentially go abroad, do we go down the lower leagues?

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“We’ve done that before with varying levels of success. I’d be quite excited to go abroad and find a striker from there.”

The Tractor Boys could do with some inspiration in front of goal as they head back to familiar waters, and they are now reportedly lining up a move for a shining star who can score and create.

Ipswich Town join the race to sign Kwame Poku

According to Football League World, Ipswich are the latest club to show an interest in Peterborough United forward Kwame Poku. However, they are faced with stiff competition to try and land his services.

Birmingham City are keen admirers of the Ghana international upon their return to the second-tier, while Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers are also lurking in pursuit.

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Dubbed a “huge talent” by former Colchester United boss John McGreal, Poku shone on either flank for Posh in their unsuccessful bid to win promotion, registering 12 goals and 11 assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.

With his contract at an end, the 23-year-old could walk out of the door at the Weston Homes Stadium for a sizeable compensation package due to being under the age of 24.

Poku is also said to have attracted interest from abroad, so it is fair to say Ipswich may need to work their charm on this one if they have designs on bringing the versatile attacker to Portman Road.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will play Premier League football once again next season after they avoided relegation back down to the Championship.

The Old Gold had been battling it out at the bottom of the table for much of the campaign until recently, when Leicester City, Southampton, and Ipswich Town all had their places in the bottom three confirmed.

Vitor Pereira, who came in to replace Gary O’Neil, has guided the team to six successive wins in the Premier League, moving them clear of relegation, and supporters may be excited to see what he can achieve with a pre-season and a full campaign at the helm.

Wolves, who beat Leicester 3-0 last time out in the top-flight, could utilise the upcoming summer transfer window to provide the Portuguese head coach with even more quality to call upon to help the club push on in the league next season.

The first signing of the window, however, will be a player who is already at the club because Jorgen Strand Larsen’s loan deal will be converted into a permanent one for £23m, having reached his appearance threshold back in January.

He is currently on loan from Spanish side Celta Vigo and will put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Old Gold to remain at Wolves beyond the end of this season.

Why Jorgen Strand Larsen has been a great signing

The Norwegian forward scored 13 goals in 37 matches for Celta Vigo in La Liga last season, before his move to England, and this meant that the club are bringing in a player with a proven goal record in a major European league.

Thankfully, Larsen has been able to translate that form over to the Premier League with Wolves this term, making himself an incredibly valuable member of Pereira’s squad and vital to their efforts to avoid relegation.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the 25-year-old star provides a physical presence at the top end of the pitch for the Old Gold, winning 2.1 aerial battles per game and 41% of his contests in the air overall.

As well as being a useful outlet for the team to alleviate pressure, the Norway international has also offered a big goal threat throughout the Premier League season.

As you can see in the table above, the £23m-rated star has outperformed his xG by roughly three goals, which shows that he is an effective and clinical finisher who can make the most of the chances that are created for him.

Impressively, Larsen has scored eight right-footed goals, three left-footed goals, and two headers, as well as two goals from outside the box, which speaks to how complete he is as a striker and why the forward has been an excellent signing.

Wolves could, now, find a dream strike partner for the Norwegian powerhouse by completing a move for a free agent they are reportedly keen on.

Wolves eyeing up Premier League forward

According to Football Insider, Wolverhampton Wanderers are plotting a swoop to sign Leicester striker Jamie Vardy on a free transfer in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Despite missing a penalty against the Old Gold last weekend, the former England international has emerged as a target for the club as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

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Vardy has already confirmed that his legendary association with Leicester will come to an end when his current contract expires this summer, which will provide Wolves with a chance to snap him up for nothing.

Football Insider reports that the striker wants to remain in the Premier League, and that Wolves view him as an impact player who could be a useful addition to their squad next season.

The 38-year-old star could come in as a short-term option to bolster Pereira’s attacking options, and he could be a fantastic one-two punch with Strand Larsen.

Why Wolves should sign Jamie Vardy

The Old Gold should sign the striker because he is a proven Premier League centre-forward who could almost guarantee an impact in the final third in the 2025/26 campaign.

Vardy, who has scored three goals against Wolves in his career, has scored 143 goals in the top-flight for the Foxes, which shows that he knows how to find the back of the net at that level.

Former Leicester winger Matt Piper claimed that the English attacker has the ability and the “hunger” to “consistently score goals”, which is backed up by his statistics over the years.

The current campaign is Vardy’s tenth season of Premier League football with the Foxes, and he has hit double figures for goals in seven of those, with a chance to do it for an eighth time before the end of this term.

As you can see in the table above, Vardy has consistently found the back of the net at an impressive rate throughout his time in the top-flight with Leicester.

The veteran attacker, who has scored 143 goals from 141.20 xG in his Premier League career, could be the perfect striker to come in and complement Strand Larsen, as an excellent player to bring off the bench.

Vardy could step in when the Norway international needs a rest, come in off the bench when required, or even form a strike partnership with the 25-year-old ace, whose physical presence could occupy defenders to provide the Englishman with space to constantly make runs off the last man.

Therefore, there are so many ways in which Pereira could utilise the 38-year-old marksman’s talents to make him an effective option alongside Strand Larsen next season, which is why Wolves must press ahead with a deal for the soon-to-be free agent.

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1

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 29, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now in the race for an “unbelievable” England international, but they may need to qualify for the Champions League to compete for his signature, according to former goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Spurs' season hinges on Europa League triumph

The 5-1 battering at Anfield on Sunday afternoon was the latest extremely disappointing performance from Tottenham, in a season where there has been no shortage of poor results, but ultimately the loss is of little importance.

Spurs’ season now hinges entirely on their Europa League campaign, and they should be in a very strong position to reach the final in Bilbao, given that they are set to come up against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final.

A Europa League triumph would end the Lilywhites’ long wait for a trophy, while also granting them access to next season’s Champions League, which should place them in a strong position to bring in some top players this summer.

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In a recent interview with Football Insider, Robinson has now provided an update on a player Tottenham could target this summer, although he believes they will only be able to compete for his signature if they win the Europa League.

The former goalkeeper said: “Tottenham are in the race for Marcus Rashford; but without Champions League football, without the Europa League trophy, and Tottenham 17th in the Premier League? Sorry, you’re not in the conversation.”

As Rashford’s relationship with Ruben Amorim has “broken down”, the England international is expected to leave this summer, with a move to Barcelona potentially on the cards, while a permanent switch to Aston Villa remains a possibility.

The 27-year-old is not the only England international Spurs have their eye on, however, with a recent report revealing they are also serious contenders to sign Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.

"Unbelievable" Rashford impressing at Aston Villa

After falling out with Amorim, it was clear the left-winger needed to leave United in January, and he has started to look more like his former self since moving to Villa, picking up four goals and six assists in 17 matches.

Having once been lauded as “unbelievable” by Harry Maguire, it is clear the £300k-per-week forward has bags of talent, but United has been a graveyard for top players in recent years, and it is good to see him reignite his career elsewhere.

Should Tottenham manage to win the Europa League, a move to north London could be attractive to Rashford, but the signs are not good heading into their crucial semi-final against Bodo/Glimt.

Spurs have lost their last three Premier League games on the spin, and even if they manage to reach the final, it will be a very difficult task to beat Athletic Bilbao in their own stadium, or three-time Champions League winners Man United in a European final.

He has played just 12 Tests for South Africa in all these years, but away from the limelight, Simon Harmer has put together a truly remarkable body of work

Sampath Bandarupalli23-Oct-20254 – Harmer is only the fourth South Africa player to claim 1000 wickets in first-class cricket. Charlie Llewellyn (1013), Mike Procter (1417) and Allan Donald (1216) were the ones to get there before him.2 – Only two players who made their first-class debuts in the 21st century have taken 1000 wickets in the format. Harmer, whose first-class debut was in November 2009, and James Anderson, who had made his debut in May 2002. His milestone 1000th wicket came in July 2021. Anderson was also the last of the 216 bowlers to reach 1000 first-class wickets before Harmer.Related

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Harmer is the only bowler in the world with over 900 wickets since his first-class debut, with Malinda Pushpakumara’s 874 being the next best.514 – Wickets for Harmer in first-class cricket in England. Of those, 513 have come for Essex, all since 2017, and one for South Africa in a Test in 2022. Harmer is the only bowler with 500-plus first-class wickets in England since 2017, with Kyle Abbott’s 442 being the next highest.Harmer’s 35 five-fors and ten ten-wicket match hauls are also the most by any bowler in England in this period.Not to forget, Harmer has 453 wickets at home in South Africa, the second-highest since his first-class debut, behind only Shaun von Berg (522).Simon Harmer is an Essex legend, with 513 wickets for them in first-class cricket•Getty Images58 – Five-wicket hauls for Harmer in first-class cricket. Only Pushpakumara (80) and Gayan Sirisoma (61) have more five-fors than Harmer since his first-class debut in November 2009. R Ashwin (51) is the only other bowler with 50-plus five-fors in this period.Harmer’s effort in the Rawalpindi Test was his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket outside of England and South Africa, where he has 35 and 22 respectively. Harmer, however, has played only 11 first-class matches outside those two countries.331 – Wickets for Harmer in Chelmsford, the home ground of his county team, Essex. Only one bowler has taken more first-class wickets at a ground in the last 20 years – 374 by Tim Murtagh at Lord’s.Harmer has 27 five-wicket hauls across the 58 matches he played in Chelmsford, the most by a bowler at a venue in the last 20 years. Harmer has taken ten-plus wickets in a game on ten occasions at the venue, which is also the most.20 – Right-arm offspinners with 1000-plus wickets in first-class cricket before Harmer. Robert Croft was the last offspinner to reach 1000 wickets, having got there in 2007. (Twenty other players with 1000 FC wickets had multiple bowling styles throughout their careers, with right-arm off-break being one of them)55,618 – Balls that Harmer has bowled in his first-class career so far. Only one other player has bowled over 50,000 balls in the format since his debut – Nathan Lyon (55,790).

There was no Shakib Al Hasan, but Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nayeem Hasan managed to tie New Zealand down in knots

Mohammad Isam01-Dec-2023The scene is all too familiar. The Bangladesh spinner rips his fingers to snap out the ball. An umbrella of close-in fielders are waiting to pounce. The overseas batter picks the ball from the hand but can’t fully judge how much the ball will turn. Whether to play forward or back, he wonders. Crucially, the overseas batters doubt whether it will keep low or kick up. Except for that last part about the bounce, it was all standard stuff in Sylhet in the last four days.Bangladesh’s spinners have taken 15 wickets in this game so far. They have left their side on the verge of beating New Zealand at home for the first time with this big effort. Taijul Islam has stepped up as the attack leader in Shakib Al Hasan’s absence, although he told the reporter who asked him about it not to make him into a (old man). Mehidy Hasan Miraz is Taijul’s second fiddle, mainly playing as the team’s allrounder in this game. Nayeem Hasan only ever plays home Tests. He has never bowled abroad.Related

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• Calm and clinical Shanto brings back Bangladesh's smile

• Southee expects spin to play a big role in 'hard-fought' series

The band obviously is missing the lead man, but even without Shakib, Bangladesh’s spinners were lethal against New Zealand. Shakib’s absence usually leaves a big hole in both the batting order and the bowling attack. Now that it happens so often, especially in Tests, the rest of the team is getting used to it. Bangladesh have done well getting back to the basics, and doing what they do best, this point especially applying for the spinners. Taijul said that he only focuses on bowling in his one spot, and then trying his variations from that point.It was expected of the new captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to keep Taijul bowling continuously from one end. Generally an energetic personality, Shanto, however, kept things moving from both ends. He gave Taijul 20 overs but ensured the left-arm spinner kept bowling attacking lines. He allowed Shoriful to bowl six overs at the top, which Bangladeshi captains like Shakib and Mominul Haque have usually tended not to do in such situations. Shoriful picked up one wicket, keeping things tight as well.Shanto took off Mehidy after his first over, but later gave him two spells. Mehidy took a wicket early in his second spell, removing Henry Nicholls. Taijul bowled 15 on either side of the tea break, but with always a more concentrated off-stump line, as opposed to his defensive outside off-stump line when Shakib is around.Taijul did the job too for his captain, picking up three wickets in his first spell. After a short break, he took a wicket in his second spell. Shanto brought on Nayeem quite late on the day, but gave him an eight-over spell first, and then two more in the end. Shanto used Mominul for just two overs on the fourth day, maybe by popular choice after the part-time left-armer took three wickets in the first innings.Taijul said that Bangladesh have a job to do even without Shakib in the team. The players know their specific roles, but it also changes according to the shape of the game. He said that when they get on top of big teams, it suggests that Bangladesh are changing from within.”I can’t do what someone else is doing, and someone else can’t do what I do,” Taijul said about bowling without Shakib in the attack. “I stick to my plan. Whether we have Shakib or not, we have other spinners in the team. Plans change from game to game – someone takes the wickets, someone defends the runs. If I stopped the runs, Miraz or Nayeem would have taken the wickets. The main thing is, if the team is doing well.”It is a truly different feeling to beat big teams. We haven’t won the game yet but we are trying our hardest to win this game. Confidence goes up so that we can use this for the rest of the year. It suggests a change in the team. I don’t know how many matches we will win but I want to do something good for the Bangladesh team.”Bangladesh’s bowlers were all over New Zealand on the fourth day•AFP/Getty ImagesThere’s so much belief in Taijul that when he came into the attack to bowl at Kane Williamson, one of the Bangladesh fielders commented that Williamson was his wicket. Taijul said that it speaks of the confidence that the team has on him, but also that he is quite strong in his own belief of his line and length.”I guess they have faith in me that I can set (Williamson) up to take his wicket. I have been playing for nine years, you know.”I don’t really prepare in that particular way. I have only one preparation: my spot. I try to bowl in that spot, and try my variations from there,” he said.But what Taijul does, is quite difficult without the likes of Mehidy and Nayeem. Both are orthodox offspinners without any mystery deliveries but they keep batters honest on offstump. It is what they do well for long periods in a match. Of course, they have had their ups and downs, but Taijul and Mehidy have generally stepped up well when Shakib isn’t around.

“The fans will surely want the three remaining New Zealand wickets to fall quickly on the fifth morning. If it all goes to the spinners, it will be just reward for a band of bowlers who have done most of the running in this game”

Mehidy, in particular, had an interesting time in the World Cup recently, when his batting was more in the limelight. He batted in several spots, which is now being discussed as one of the reasons for Bangladesh’s failure in the tournament. It wasn’t Mehidy’s fault by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, he kept getting the runs in any position he was sent out. It probably affected his bowling a bit, but it is quite hard to knock Mehidy off his bowling spot in the last few years.Nayeem, meanwhile, has had to rely heavily on domestic cricket for much of his international career. He has only played a handful of home Tests since his debut five years ago. It is hard to motivate oneself plugging away in the domestic grind, but he seems to enjoy it. He took 36 wickets for Chattogram Division in this season’s NCL.The spin trio had to bring their A-game in this game as this is a difficult time in Bangladesh cricket. There’s lack of belief among their fans, which is reflected in the near-empty stands in all four days of the Test in Sylhet. There’s likely to be a few more coming to the stadium on the fifth morning. They will surely want the three remaining New Zealand wickets to fall quickly. If it all goes to the spinners, it will be just reward for a band of bowlers who have done most of the running in this game.