All posts by h716a5.icu

It was some years ago when April 1st fell on a Saturday

Ralph Dellor11-Apr-2002It was some years ago when April 1st fell on a Saturday. On “Grandstand” – BBC TV’s sports programme – it was decided to mark the occasion by mounting an elaborate hoax featuring cricket. Consequently, I was despatched to the Sussex county ground to film the action that went towards making a programme item that was realistic enough to fool a lot of people.The basis of it was that so many Championship matches finished early, making it difficult for commercial departments to sell the last day to corporate sponsors who could not be sure of having any cricket to put before their clients and guests. To counter this, there was to be a 20-over competition played when the “real” game finished before schedule.The pitch was to be lengthened to 24 yards in order to negate fast bowling, there were runs deducted if a batsman played out a maiden over, two instances of “one hand, one bounce” meant that the batsman was out, and there were only 30 seconds available for the batsman to get to the middle at the fall of a wicket before he could be timed out. There were innovative umpiring signals introduced to cover the new decisions, while the officials had the power to send players to a sin-bin for bad behaviour.We filmed a demonstration match performed (and that is the correct word!) by the Sussex players, and conducted interviews with all and sundry. Paul Parker, the Sussex captain at the time, had to have several goes at his interview because he could not keep a straight face, while coach Norman Gifford and commercial manager Jim Parks gave considered views on the impact of the new competition.To give some scarcely-needed credibility to the whole thing, we conducted an interview with the retiring marketing manager of the then Test and County Cricket Board, Peter Lush, who, unprompted, came out with a marvellous line about this new competition being the way to promote cricket to the American market.As an April Fool, it was a huge success. Viewers wrote in to complain about the further ruination of the game, and several people made a point of conveying their distaste for the idea to me personally. I can clearly remember watching the piece go out and saying to the assembled company in the studio: “I just hope the TCCB weren’t watching or they’ll try to implement it!”The years have rolled by and the TCCB has given way to the England and Wales Cricket Board, whose First-Class Forum have just announced that, as from the 2003 season, there will be – yes, you’ve guessed it – a 20-over-a-side competition in the schedule of matches.The “innovations” that we introduced all those years ago will not be in use. The quite admirable aim of the competition, as described by chief executive Tim Lamb is to introduce “another very positive development for the future of cricket in this country. It’s essential that we reach out and appeal to a new generation of young cricket followers, and this new competition is designed to do exactly that.”All we can hope is that it achieves its aim and brings in that new generation of cricket enthusiasts and they, in turn, grow to like the real thing. Nobody can doubt the sincerity of the intention; we must just hope that it is not the game itself that is being made to wear the hat with the bells.

Many Tottenham Hotspur fans will probably want two things to happen this summer.

Firstly, many seem desperate to see Mauricio Pochettino back in the dugout amid reports linking the 49-year-old with a sensational return to the club, whilst chairman Daniel Levy could spark a response by splashing out in the transfer market.

The north Londoners have faltered during the past two seasons, losing out on Champions League qualification as they will have to settle for a place in the newly-formed Conference League, as well as squandering another final after losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

According to The Athletic and football.london, Pochettino is open to returning to his former club more than 18 months after being sacked by Levy.

A lot of the talk over the coming months will likely be about the future of Harry Kane, who Sky Sports have claimed has expressed his desire to leave the club, although it’s hard to envisage the Argentine coming home without his star striker.

If the 49-year-old does return, he will need backing in the window. Otherwise, the Lilywhites risk falling further behind their rivals, especially as the rest of the big six will undoubtedly look to splash the cash themselves.

Here’s where Spurs could look to strengthen in what could be a dream rebuild involving Pochettino. We’ve taken a look at the squad we think the Argentine could potentially put together if he is re-hired by Spurs this summer.

Goalkeepers

Hugo Lloris is entering the final year of his current contract but, according to Football Insider, the French veteran is in talks to remain at the club for a tenth year and possibly longer. He’s still the club captain and was often trusted by the 49-year-old throughout his reign.

Whilst Joe Hart is the current back-up, the pair could face competition from West Brom shot-stopper Sam Johnstone, who has been mooted with a move to north London. He’s expected to cost around £20m and could finally provide the World Cup winner with a genuine test for that number one spot.

Defence

It could be all change in defence, where individual mistakes and a lack of cohesion have been a defining theme in Spurs’ troubled season.

According to football.london, the Lilywhites want to bring in two new centre-back options but, in order to do so, some of the current squad will have to depart. Juan Foyth’s loan move to Villarreal should become permanent, whilst interest in Davinson Sanchez from former club Ajax should be enough to tempt Levy into a sale. Serge Aurier is expected to rejoin Paris Saint-Germain, too.

Having the likes of Sergio Reguilon and Ben Davies is enough for that left-back spot, with Ryan Sessegnon likely to go back out on loan, whilst Eric Dier – another favourite of Pochettino’s and Toby Alderweireld remain, as do Matt Doherty and academy gem Japhet Tanganga.

They could be joined by Lyon centre-back Joachim Andersen, who has impressed during a loan spell at relegated Fulham and he is one player thought to be high on their list of priorities following the appointment of the next manager. He’s expected to cost in the region of £25m, as per The Telegraph.

Spurs could also reignite their interest in Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar, especially with the Serie A champions likely to cut their wage bill substantially. He’s likely to cost the bulk of the budget in the region of £60m.

One final addition could see long-term right-back target Max Aarons swap promoted Norwich City for north London. It is thought that the England under-21 international is available for around £30m this summer.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-manager-gossip-transfer-rumours-team-and-injury-updates-and-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, manager gossip, transfer rumours, team and injury updates and more!”]

Midfield

If there is one position where Spurs are well-stocked, it is central midfield, so you’d imagine there are a few culling candidates here. Selling Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks could free up some budget and wage bill, whilst Oliver Skipp is in line for a shot in the first team.

He could feature alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli, with the Danish powerhouse the only addition since Pochettino’s departure.

Spurs are thought to still hold interest in RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer despite Jose Mourinho’s exit, so he could be the one new addition here. Sport Bild believe he’ll be available for around £35m this summer.

Attack

There isn’t likely to be any additions up front, although Erik Lamela could leave the club amid speculation over his future.

In terms of wide options, Pochettino could benefit from Gareth Bale staying another year alongside Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son, whilst Dane Scarlett could be promoted into the senior fold full-time.

The big question mark is over Harry Kane, who Sky Sports claim has expressed his desire to leave this summer. However, given his likely price tag of £150m and Levy’s stubborn nature, it may be hard to envisage him departing just yet – no matter how desperate he is for silverware.

Pochettino’s potential dream 25-man Spurs squad for the 2021/22 campaign after bringing in £170m worth of new players:

Lloris, Johnstone, Hart;

Reguilon, Davies, Rodon, Andersen, Skriniar, Dier, Alderweireld, Doherty, Tanganga, Aarons;

Hojbjerg, Skipp, Ndombele, Lo Celso, Sabitzer, Alli;

Kane, Son, Bergwijn, Bale, Moura, Scarlett.

AND in other news, Levy could revive Spurs by hiring “priceless” 54 y/o gem who destroyed Poch this year…

Many boys and girls in the Horsham area will get their first chance to play cricket as the result of the new Identilam Horsham Cricket Academy, launched during Sussex’s Norwich Union League match against Essex on the famous old ground today (Tuesday

Media Release29-May-2002Many boys and girls in the Horsham area will get their first chance to play cricket as the result of the new Identilam Horsham Cricket Academy, launched during Sussex’s Norwich Union League match against Essex on the famous old ground today (Tuesday June 4).Identilam, the biggest independent manufacturers of photo identity cards in the UK, has given £22,500 and Sportsmatch, funded by the Government through Sport England, has doubled that sum, making £45,000 available to the scheme for the next three years. The scheme is, therefore, one of the largest of its kind in the country.Sportsmatch is a business sponsorship incentive scheme that is administered in England by the Institute of Sports Sponsorship on behalf of the government and Sport England. It aims to provide a much needed boost to grass roots sport and physical recreation throughout Great Britain.Schools in the Horsham area will be approached before the end of the current summer term and coaching will start next year giving children the chance to learn the game with expert guidance.Facilities and cricket equipment will be provided to enable boys and girls to play and practise cricket safely and with confidence. The scheme also plans to provide a dramatic increase in the number of local coaches.Despite a long standing tradition of coaching and matches at Horsham Cricket Club itself virtually no cricket is played at present in schools in the area. Thanks to the sponsors of the new Academy, in association with Sportsmatch, both the club and the schools will benefit from a scheme that will encourage more youngsters to play cricket without draining their existing budgets.The presentation will take place between innings on the 4 June NUL matchSussex Sharks v Essex Eagles at Horsham.

According to Football Insider, Southampton are interested in signing Tom Davies from Everton during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Busy summer ahead

After what was a disappointing season – the Saints ended up in 15th place in the Premier League table – the south coast outfit could well be busy during the transfer window.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has already confirmed that he is interested in a striker (Hampshire Live), but the Saints have now been linked with a move for a central midfielder.

The Latest: Saints want Davies

It is now being reported by Football Insider that Southampton are interested in a move for £14.4m-valued Davies (Transfermarkt).

The Everton midfielder is out of contract at Goodison Park in 2023 (Transfermarkt), and talks are yet to commence over a new deal with the Toffees.

The Verdict: Interesting option

Davies burst on to the scene at Goodison Park during the 2016/17 campaign as a teenager, when he made 24 appearances in the Premier League. He scored against Manchester City in a 4-0 win and it seemed that he would become the next big thing – he was even compared to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard by talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham in 2019.

His career has stagnated a bit in recent times. He made just 25 appearances in the 2020/21 Premier League and has come in for criticism from some Everton supporters (This is Futbol). However, he is just 22 years of age and has plenty of time to fulfill his potential, so if the Saints can get him in for the right price, he could be an interesting signing to liven up their midfield.

In other news, Southampton are interested in signing this player who has previously been compared to Lionel Messi.

Rangers are once again being linked with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ross Wilson should snap up this second chance to bring him to Ibrox this summer after failing to secure him for Steven Gerrard’s side back in January.

The Gers and their Old Firm rivals were both heavily linked with the winger during his time at QPR but he opted to join Turkish side Fenerbahce instead, with the English Championship club willing to let him leave early after he agreed a pre-contract deal with the Super Lig giants.

However, things have not gone to plan for the former Blackpool man in Istanbul, as in 19 appearances for the Yellow Canaries in all competitions, he has managed just one goal and one assist.

Turkish news outlet Fotospor have now claimed ahead of the summer transfer window that both Rangers and their rivals Celtic are keen on signing him again this summer, although a potential swap deal with AS Monaco could also be on the cards, which suggests that the Gers will have to act quickly if they want to bring him in.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Rangers transfer rumours and news!”]

If Osayi-Samuel could rediscover the form he showed with QPR, where he contributed six goals and nine assists in the 2019/20 season, then he could definitely prove to be a solid addition to Gerrard’s side ahead of next term.

The Nigerian attacker’s decline in form since his move to Turkey is clear to see. In the first half of the season he managed three goals and two assists for Mark Warburton’s QPR side, averaging a solid 6.91 rating from WhoScored for his performances, whereas his displays in Turkey have earned him a much less impressive 6.55 average rating.

Warburton was full of praise for the 24-year-old when he starred in a 6-1 thrashing of Cardiff City back in 2020, describing his display as “outstanding” and lauding his “blistering pace”.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

A move to Rangers could help Osayi-Samuel get back to his best, and if Fenerbahce are keen to get rid of him after just half a season, then Wilson should ensure that he takes advantage this time and brings the winger to Ibrox.

In other news… Gerrard may already have his Davis heir at Rangers in never-before-seen “mountain” 

India have beaten England by six wickets with seven balls to spare in the second match of the NatWest triangular series at Lord’s

Stephen Lamb29-Jun-2002India have beaten England by six wickets with seven balls to spare in the second match of the NatWest triangular series at Lord’s. A fifth-wicket partnership of 131 between Rahul Dravid and Man-of-the-Match Yuvraj Singh held the key to India’s win at the end of an immensely entertaining day. Bat held sway over ball almost throughout, with Virender Sehwag and Marcus Trescothick also playing starring roles.After England had posted 271, India began their reply in fine style, with Hoggard, shorn of rhythm, taken by Sehwag and Ganguly for 19 off his first two overs. Although Kirtley was more economical at the outset, he couldn’t contain Sehwag either, as the flamboyant Indian opener followed a mid-wicket four with two backward of point. India’s fifty came up off as many balls. more quickly than England’s, and Hoggard was taken off after conceding 32 runs in his first four overs.Ganguly had a life on 16, when Thorpe couldn’t quite hold on to a fierce drive at short extra cover, but there was no stopping Sehwag as Flintoff was dismissed with awesome ease through mid-wicket. With India’s grip on the game tightening by the over, Kirtley was dispatched through backward point by Sehwag and long-off, fiercely, by Ganguly. Sehwag completed a magnificent 50 by clattering Flintoff through the covers. When Giles replaced Kirtley at the nursery end, his first ball was dispatched magnificently by Sehwag into the Compton stand for six. Four more off Flintoff raised India’s hundred from just 88 balls.Irani had Sehwag missed on 70 in his first over, a sharp, low but catchable chance to the diving Collingwood at backward point. Fortunately for Collingwood it didn’t matter; in the next over Sehwag hit Giles high to deep mid-wicket, where Trescothick did marvellously well to take a running catch close to the rope. Sehwag’s 71 had come off just 65 balls, with a six and nine fours, and he and Ganguly had put India on course for victory.Mongia was bowled for just one, playing crookedly at Giles, bringing in Sachin Tendulkar to the kind of ovation he is used to at home. But the little master was unusually subdued, making just one from nine balls before Irani trapped him lbw hitting across the line. India had lost three wickets for nine runs in 31 balls. England’s hopes were raised further when Kirtley took a truly breathtaking catch to dismiss the Indian captain. Ganguly had come down the wicket to hit Giles wide of mid-on, from where Kirtley ran round to take a thrilling, sprawling catch in the fingertips of his left hand. If a better catch has been taken in the deep in any form of cricket, I’m not sure that I’ve seen it.Dravid was joined by Yuvraj Singh, who traced Irani delightfully through the covers to reassert India’s challenge. Dravid was missed on 24 by Stewart off the returning Hoggard – a low, diving effort which Stewart couldn’t quite hold in his right hand. Yuvraj then brought up the 200 with a drive so fierce that hoggard was wise to take evasive action. Despite persevering bowling from England, Yuvraj and Dravid guided India inexorably towards their target.After Yuvraj completed an excellent 50 off 54 balls, Dravid reached the landmark with a pulled boundary off Flintoff. With the rate mounting Dravid cut loose with a stunning array of strokes to keep India in touch, and when he clouted Hoggard through extra cover in the penultimate over, the writing was on the wall for England. The last ball of the over (a no-ball) was hit to long-off for the single India needed to take the match.The way England batted in the first half of their innings, they would have been disappointed not to set India a target in excess of 300. In the first over, bowled by Zaheer Khan, Trescothick took two behind square leg and four down the hill to the extra cover boundary. He then hit Agarkar’s first two balls imperiously for off-side boundaries, before pushing Khan backward of cover point with the same result.After the fifty came up in the tenth over Knight, hesitant at the outset, cast off the shackles, lacing Agarkar first through extra cover and then straight for boundaries. With England relishing the field restrictions to the tune of more than six an over, a double change was inevitable. It came in the form of Harbhajan at the pavilion end, whom Knight immediately swept to the rope backward of square leg. Kumble replaced Agarkar at the nursery end, and this time Trescothick cashed in with four through extra cover.It took a run-out to part the two openers, when Trescothick played Kumble out to Tendulkar at deep mid-wicket. Knight called for a doubful second run and was narrowly beaten by a fine throw to the bowler’s end. England were 86 for one, with Knight gone for 31. After the helmetless Hussain had flirted with disaster with an airborne chip to extra cover off Kumble, the rampant Trescothick went through to an excellent 50 off 48 balls. A swept boundary followed off Harbhajan, bisecting the two fielders on the mid-wicket boundary. Another single brought up England’s hundred off 103 balls in the 17th.The introduction of Yuvraj prompted the first six of the day, swung gleefully into the mound stand by Trescothick. But it was the last hurrah for the Somerset left-hander, who got a thin edge to Dravid as he tried to steer Ganguly to third man. Trescothick had made 86 off just 78 balls with nine fours as well as the six.The in-form Flintoff, promoted to number four, immediately swung his former Lancashire team-mate through mid-wicket. When Harbhajan returned, a reverse sweep to the rope gave Hussain four more, and when Harbhajan over-compensated a wide went for four more to fine leg. Impishly, Hussain reverse-swept to the rope again and another over had gone for 15 runs. As Ganguly switched ends Flintoff smote him successively to the rope at mid-wicket and deep extra cover. With England still scoring at close to a run a ball, Flintoff’s innings ended with the return of Yuvraj Singh driving to short extra for Mongia to take a smart catch.Hussain and Thorpe exchanged regular singles, one of which completed the captain’s 50. After a perfectly-placed chip through mid-wicket, Thorpe was caught by Sehwag at backward point off Yuvraj. As the tempo slowed, Hussain charged down the wicket to play a dreadful swish at Yuvraj and was stumped by the proverbial yard.With the initiative slipping away from England, Stewart grasped the nettle by hitting Yuvraj back over his head for four. When Zaheer returned Stewart swatted him to the Grand Stand boundary before bring up the 250 with a single to mid-off. Irani sacrificed his wicket in the quest for quick runs, but Collingwood briefly made his presence felt at the eleventh hour, whipping Zaheer delightfully through mid-wicket.Agarkar and Zaheer both bowled well at the death, with a succession of yorkers, and Collingwood perished caught behind off a skier. In the end England had fewer runs than they had hoped for at the half-way stage of their innings, and not quite enough to win a scintillating match.

Aston Villa fans have been expressing their excitement after new signing Emiliano Buendia conducted his first interview with the club.

Villa confirmed the signing of the Argentine midfielder from newly-promoted Norwich City earlier this week.

Buendia arrives for a club-record fee of £33million, eclipsing the £28million paid to sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford last summer (via BBC Sport).

Moreover, the fee could rise as high as £38million with add-ons.

Villa were able to beat Arsenal to the signature of a player who topped the Championship assist charts in 2020/21 with 16.

He also added 15 goals for Daniel Farke’s Canaries.

In the interview, Buendia described his move as an ‘amazing step’ and said he is raring to go ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The 24-year-old was called up for his nation’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia but has not made their 28-man squad for the Copa America.

That should allow him to make an earlier return to England and begin adapting to his new surroundings.

The club’s official Twitter account posted some footage from Buendia’s interview, and here’s how fans reacted.

Villa fans buzzing at Buendia footage

“Fantastic to have him here. Seems like a great guy and great to hear how Martinez helped get him here. Can’t wait for the first game!”

Credit: @LukeKing_

“Did someone say he’s the best Argentine winger itw?”

Credit: @Villal_

“Omg”

Credit: @catrinedwards18

“Yessss”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @BIGSTU566

“Oh yessss”

Credit: @LeoAVFC82

In other news, Villa are interested in this young centre-back. 

The South African Plascon Academy touring team struck a major blow for South African cricket development by beating the Australian Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy by 26 runs with 3.2 overs to spare

Keith Lane14-Aug-2002The South African Plascon Academy touring team struck a major blow for South African cricket development by beating the Australian Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy by 26 runs with 3.2 overs to spare. Taking part in a national academy tournament in Australia the South African youngsters put together a full team effort that had the better of the Australians.Winning the toss and batting first Maurice Aronstam and Gerhard Strydom put on an opening partnership of 96 when Strydom fell for 49. The foundation had been laid, and when Aronstam left the wicket on 84 the South Africans were well on their way with 208/3 after 44 overs.Contributions from captain Alviro Pieterson, scoring 28, and David Jacobs, scoring 33, helped the team to reach 253/7 at the completion of the 50 overs.A solid start from the Australians was halted by the regular fall of wickets. The Australian top-order all reached 20’s and 30’s but were not allowed to build on that with the South Africans maintaining the pressure. A run out from David Jacobs tilting the scales in favour of South Africa.At 147/6 the Australians still had a chance of a win needing 107 in 111 balls but the left arm fast bowler Brent Kops soon wrapped up the innings taking 3/52. The Australians were bowled out for 227 in the 47th over. Kops was ably assisted by all the bowlers and especially Morne van Vuuren returning figures of 10-3-21-1.The win puts into perspective the value the UCBSA has placed on the development of cricket in South Africa. The Academy has grown in stature from its beginnings in 1995, producing current national players like Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Paul Adams, Roger Telemachus, Nicky Boje and Justin Ontong.Beating the Australian Academy, generally regarded as the best and strongest academy in world cricket, will mean a lot to not only the players, but also to the coaches and administrators who have invested so many hours of their time in South African cricket.According to Anton Ferriera, Director of Coaching for the UCBSA, the win shows that the youngsters are competing against the best, and when you compete you will win a fair share of your games. “This tournament, only confirmed three weeks before the players left, is a stepping stone in the players careers and a huge part of their cricket education”. He added: “The experience they will pick up on a tour like this will stand them in good stead in the future. It is very important for these 19 and 20 year olds to experience cricket outside of the domestic season. I have little doubt that some of them will play international cricket in the future”.

Many Everton fans have been left to slam a manager update involving Rafa Benitez.

Writing in his latest piece for The Times, Paul Joyce has shared that the Spaniard is expected to be formally offered the manager’s job by the Goodison Park faithful following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid.

He has now had three rounds of talks with Farhad Moshiri and members of the Merseyside club hierarchy over the past week, having moved in front of former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo as the frontrunner for the vacancy.

The discussions have also been described as positive, as it looks increasingly like Benitez could be well be the man to lead the Toffees going into the 2021/22 season.

Of course, he used to manage and was so fondly remembered by Liverpool, given that he won the UEFA Champions League with them back in the 2004/05 term (Transfermarkt), and so it is not a surprise at all to see so many Evertonians opposed to the potential appointment.

Everton fans on Benitez manager update

These Blues supporters slammed the manager update as it was shared on Twitter:

“Leg it Paul”

Credit: @james_gavo3

“@Everton don’t appoint this guy – just don’t!!”Credit: @JessiePsDad”I would genuinely rather have Moyes”Credit: @jck1878″Anyone got any recommendations on a new team to support?”Credit: @NiallMcDonald_”Well that’s one way to get rid of the season ticket waiting list.”Credit: @latenightblues”Grim”Credit: @shawryblueIn other news, find out what transfer update has left EFC fans fuming here!

Pakistan face Sri Lanka Wednesday in the second match of the Morocco Cup knowing how important it is for them to pick the maximum points to stay on course for Aug 21 final

Samiul Hassan14-Aug-2002Pakistan face Sri Lanka Wednesday in the second match of the Morocco Cup knowing how important it is for them to pick the maximum points to stay on course for Aug 21 final.For Sri Lanka, it will be a double header as they play South Africa Thursday to complete the first round action in this $250,000 double league competition.Pakistan were Monday let down both by the bowlers and the batsmen. But these are early days in the tournament and the team has the ability to bounce back and get back on victory track. Only fools would rule them out from this event after one defeat.Nevertheless, Pakistan will have to show a lot of professionalism to get their basics right, most importantly the team combination. There can be no two opinions that there were many flaws in their performance Monday. But that’s typical of Pakistan who are gradually earning the reputation of slow starters.The biggest mistake the team management committed Monday was to include Shahid Afridi as a specialist bowler. Shahid is a utility cricketer known for his exploits with the bat and potential to chip in with a few cheap overs in the middle of the innings.The decision to play five specialist bowlers makes sense. But going in the match with three specialists bowlers and two batting allrounders and that too against a team like South Africa was mindboggling.Also ignored was the fact that Saqlain Mushtaq was playing after coming from different conditions besides his wife is expecting a baby later this month.Pakistan also didn’t do their homework properly and their recent successes have been because they have kept the pressure on the opponents right through the innings after Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis have created the initial inroads. Shoaib Akhtar, coming at one change, used to exploit those situations.Waqar left South Africa struggling by picking the wickets of Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis. But there was no Shoaib to keep the momentum going as Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje broke the shackles and took the game away from Pakistan.As Shoaib is not in the team, paceman Mohammad Sami is the man who can do the job that is required. He has the pace and accuracy that is so very vital.Nonetheless, it may look simple for everyone to make these conclusions. But the bottomline is that the team management has problems of its own. They are in a fix and wondering whom to drop to include another specialist bowler for the upcoming games.Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar admitted that changes would be made without going into details.On the face of it, it appears that either Younis Khan or Shahid Afridi will get the axe as Saqlain’s place looks secure as he has the confidence of the skipper. Shahid did his job with the bat, at least, and also showed his worth as a sixth bowler. That leaves Younis as the most probable candidate to sit out to make way for another bowler, most probably Sami.The other bad thing about Pakistan Monday was that all the frontline batsmen got starts but threw their hardwork out of the window with senseless shot selection. No partnerships were built and none of the big guns managed significant scores.Pakistan has the psychological edge over Sri Lanka after comprehensively defeating them in the final in April. Sri Lanka are also under tremendous pressure after producing a poor performance in England.”Past performances count for nothing as this is a fresh tournament,” Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya said.Teams (from):PAKISTAN: Waqar Younis (captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul Haq, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Mohammad Sami, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah-ul-Haq.SRI LANKA: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Aravinda de Silva, Russel Arnold, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Chamila Gamage, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Charitha Buddika, Upul Chandana, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Pulasthi Gunaratne.