Both teams have strong bowling line-ups but will want their batters to fire

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Sep-20252:45

Maharoof: SL will be tempted to bring in Wellalage

Big picture

The headline is that Afghanistan absolutely to win in order to make the Super Four, or else Bangladesh get in ahead of them. Sri Lanka merely have to avoid being handed an all-time thrashing.If Sri Lanka bat first and make 150, for example, Afghanistan would have to chase that target down in 11.4 overs in order to knock Sri Lanka out and have Bangladesh accompany them to the Super Four. If Afghanistan bat first and make 150, Sri Lanka would have to score 84 or fewer for Bangladesh to qualify.Essentially, Afghanistan need to win. Bangladesh would ideally like Sri Lanka to win. But if Sri Lanka lose, Bangladesh need them to lose by a gargantuan margin.Related

• Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out of Asia Cup, Abdollah Ahmadzai named replacement

• Pathum Nissanka is raising his bar one notch at a time

This is what cricket is like midway through the third decade of the 21st century. India and Pakistan won’t shake hands after a match, but organisers insist on them playing each other at every major tournament nevertheless. This Asia Cup is structured to give them the best chance of having at least two meetings. Everyone else has little choice but to accept that competitive equilibrium must now be laid on the altar of capitalism.Sri Lanka, for the record, are very capable of collapsing. They almost lost against Hong Kong on Monday, their middle order entering a familiar nosedive following another Pathum Nissanka fifty. You only have to look back to about three weeks for an occasion in which they were all out in double figures – Zimbabwe rolling them for 80 in Harare. Afghanistan are also a team they have lost to three times in their eight T20I meetings.Both teams’ strengths over the last several years, however, have been their bowlers. Afghanistan have Rashid Khan, and Sri Lanka Wanindu Hasaranga – both excellent legspinners who add plenty with the bat. Both teams also tend to rely on allrounders and have flexibility built into their T20 play. There is also fragility to both batting orders and suspicions over whether their lower middle orders are up to scratch against the best teams in the world.Rashid Khan has been one of Afghanistan’s biggest strengths•Asian Cricket Council

The pressure to win, though, is on Afghanistan. Sri Lanka will be fine just muddling through. If they get through to the Super Four, they will back themselves to regroup as they did in 2022, when they won this tournament. Afghanistan scrambled mighty tournament charges even more recently, though, when they got to the semi-finals of last year’s T20 World Cup.

Form guide

Sri Lanka: WWWLW (last five T20Is, most recent first)
Afghanistan: LWLWW

In the spotlight

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has hit 248 runs at a strike rate of 172 against Sri Lanka in six T20I matches. These are outstanding numbers, but perhaps unsurprising ones when you consider that he has been a regular player in the Lanka Premier League, often playing in the more successful teams. He has played alongside the likes of Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Binura Fernando, so he has a better idea than most about the challenges Sri Lanka’s bowling unit will present. Given his stats against Sri Lanka, his team-mates will probably pay attention.Dushmantha Chameera has been Sri Lanka’s most dependable fast bowler•Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

Dushmantha Chameera has, in his most recent run in international cricket, begun to carve out a niche as Sri Lanka’s most dependable fast bowler. He still pushes 145kph when in good rhythm, but importantly, he has learned to combine that pace with excellent control. The yorkers at the end of the innings are in especially good shape at the moment, and there are death overs when he bowls full and wide, almost exclusively, and has found success with that method. Sri Lanka’s strategy, generally, is to use him to take wickets with two overs in the powerplay, then have him shut out scoring options with two overs at the death.

Pitch and conditions

Abu Dhabi tends to be one of the higher-scoring venues in the UAE, although slower bowlers have still got purchase there in this tournament.

Team news

Although licking their wounds after the loss to Bangladesh, Afghanistan may keep the same XI.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Saqidullah Ataq, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Gulbadin Naib, 5 Mohammad Nabi, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Rashid Khan (capt.), 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 AM Ghazanfar, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiSri Lanka will also likely ride with the same crew. Theekshana went wicketless against Hong Kong, but maintained a good economy rate. Matheesha Pathirana and Fernando may have to sit out.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 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Nuwan Thushara

Stats and trivia

• Gurbaz’s strike rate of 172.22 against Sri Lanka is his highest against any opposition.
  
• In 2025, Chameera has taken 11 wickets in five innings, and maintained an economy rate of 6.40, although he is frequently called upon to bowl in the powerplay and the death.
  
• Since 2020, these teams have played seven T20Is. Sri Lanka has won four of those matches, and Afghanistan three.

If Leeds United end up getting rid of an under-fire Daniel Farke in the near future, they will need to heed a lesson of years gone by.

As was seen after Marcelo Bielsa’s exit – who lifted the Championship title aloft much like the German – the grass isn’t always greener when you dismiss an under-pressure manager in the Premier League.

Indeed, a flurry of managers in the form of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce all didn’t work, which culminated in relegation.

The West Yorkshire giants would then land Farke to pick up the pieces, but even he will know he is on thin ice now regarding his job security, with four defeats picked up in the Premier League from his last five league clashes.

Leeds hang just one point above the dreaded drop zone, with Farke’s atrocious record in the top division of just nine wins from 60 matches, not doing a lot to raise spirits.

He hasn’t been helped, arguably, by some unconvincing transfers coming through the door in the summer, with Leeds splashing out £98m on some hit-and-miss purchases.

Where Perri ranks among Leeds' recent signings

The West Yorkshire outfit’s spending power was somewhat pushed to the background when weighed up next to fellow promoted side Sunderland, who sit eight points better off than Leeds, owing to £162m being forked out.

Still, Leeds have managed to steal some headlines with their own notable business, with Noah Okafor already two goals down donning his new white strip, after leaving AC Milan behind for a fresh adventure in the Premier League.

In much the same vein as Sunderland landed Premier League experience centrally with Granit Xhaka, Leeds also went down the shrewd, top-flight-calibre route themselves when acquiring Sean Longstaff’s services, with journalist Daniel Storey even going as far as to hail the capture of the Newcastle-born star for just £12m as “one of the best signings in the Premier League”.

Unfortunately, though, as Leeds have grown accustomed to over recent years when landing duds such as Luis Sinisterra and Rasmus Kristensen, they have also fallen victim to some underwhelming signings from the summer just gone, with Lucas Perri – in particular – sticking out as a costly blunder already in between the sticks.

Even the most casual observer of the Championship last season would have known that Leeds were far from satisfied with the amount of errors Illan Meslier was making in goal, during a crunch promotion run-in, with pundit Adrian Clarke stating last season that the error-prone Frenchman “has to go” if Premier League action was back on the menu.

The Championship title-winners listened to Clarke’s advice, with all signs pointing in the direction that picking up Meslier’s replacement in Perri for £13.9m from Lyon was a smart use of money, considering Meslier’s fellow compatriot had an encouraging ten Ligue 1 clean sheets under his belt when making the switch to England.

Perri’s PL numbers for Leeds

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

Perri

Games played

6

Goals conceded

12

Goals conceded*

2.0

Saves

12

Touches*

43.7

Accurate passes*

20.5 (58%)

Clean sheets

2

Stats by Sofascore

Unfortunately, though, under the intense heat of being near the foot of the Premier League, Perri has largely crumbled, with moments of “superb” goalkeeping, for which he was praised by journalist Graham Smyth after clawing away a goal-bound effort against Nottingham Forest, often then met with moments of Meslier-like indecision.

Consequently, Perri has now let in a concerning 12 strikes from six Premier League games, among other worrying numbers, with the outstanding ‘keeper they thought they’d obtained from Lyon yet to come to the forefront.

Purchased for a steep £13.9m, this is an almighty concern that he doesn’t look all that much of a notable upgrade on his former Lorient counterpart, with former Leeds player Jon Newsome even coming out after the crushing 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest to state that Perri looks like a “waste of funds”.

Journalist Adonis Storr has also been openly critical of Perri by stating that he always “parries straight to opponents”, which led the Tricky Trees to have a field day against the ropey Brazilian.

If Perri remains this unconvincing in goal in the long run, Leeds will find it hard to beat the drop, with one of his defensive teammates at the City Ground also in with a worrying shout to be one of the Whites’ worst bits of business from their recent bumpy Premier League history.

Leeds dud fast becoming one of their worst signings

In Perri’s defence, at least he has two clean sheets next to his name to have something to smile about.

On the contrary, fellow summer arrival Jaka Bijol is yet to collect a Premier League clean sheet from his limited opportunities in Farke’s first team mix, having been branded as “monstrous” centre-back by Como scout Ben Mattinson when plying his trade for Udinese.

Winning 4.8 duels won on average last season per Serie A clash, the hope would have been that Bijol would instantly get up to speed with the high intensity of the Premier League and be the gritty warrior Leeds need to comfortably survive.

After all, he cost even more than Perri to obtain at the £15m mark, with only Anton Stach and the aforementioned Okafor costing more this summer at £17.4m and £18m, respectively.

While Stach has that sweetly struck free-kick against Wolverhampton Wanderers to hold onto, and his Swiss counterpart has those two Premier League strikes also in his favour, Bijol’s start to life in England has been strangely stop-start.

Indeed, the Slovenian centre-back has only managed to line up for three Premier League clashes to date this season, with many wondering whether Leeds had made an almighty error splashing the cash on Bijol, only for him to warm the substitutes bench behind Pascal Struijk.

However, Farke might well have been better placed to leave the shoddy number 15 on the bench for the foreseeable future, when analysing his disastrous Premier League appearances so far, as Bijol was caught ball-watching for Forest’s decisive match-winner on Sunday afternoon.

Perri is hardly loving life under scrutiny at Elland Road, knowing he now has an out-of-sorts Bijol in front of him, with Leeds last keeping a clean sheet in league action when Struijk partnered Joe Rodon, and the Slovenian was left rooted to the bench.

Bijol in November

Stat

vs Brighton

vs Forest

Minutes played

90

82

Goals conceded

3

3

Touches

89

79

Accurate passes

81/86 (94%)

65/71 (92%)

Tackles won

0/0

1/1

Interceptions

0

1

Clearances

3

4

Blocked shots

0

0

Ball recoveries

6

1

Total duels won

1/3

4/6

Stats by Sofascore

At their current rate, with 20 goals already leaked, Leeds could be on their way to conceding even more goals than the 78 strikes they gave up during the 2022/23 season when relegation was on the cards.

That same season, Leeds had to put up with a weak Robin Koch in defence, who once cost £12m from Freiburg in another shambolic defensive purchase.

At his current downward slope, Bijol is likely to be remembered more for being a Koch-like blunder than a bright spark like Okafor, with the Slovenian having to buck his ideas up soon, or be viewed as £18m that was rashly chucked away.

Thankfully, he does have time on his side to rewrite his Leeds narrative, as Perri and Bijol hope the slide can be eventually arrested, with or without the manager that brought them to this country remaining in the dug-out.

Related Fewer touches than Perri: Farke must ditch Leeds flop who's Meslier 2.0

Daniel Farke has a new Illan Meslier figure to worry about at Leeds United.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 10, 2025

Lamine Yamal believes that "special nights" are coming ahead of Barcelona's long-awaited return to Camp Nou. The teenager has become a Blaugrana sensation in recent years and he has done that while barely playing at the Catalan outfit's iconic stadium. But the countdown to being back at their hallowed home ground has very much begun, and the Spaniard is clearly very excited.

• Yamal excited for Camp Nou return

  In May 2023, Barcelona said goodbye to Camp Nou as the stadium began a huge redevelopment initiative. After many delays and some controversies involving workers, the giant ground is preparing for a staggered reopening later this month. The defending La Liga champions have been given the light by the local council to host around 23,000 fans when competitive games return to this venue, which has already seen 23,000 supporters watch an open training session earlier this month. Incidentally, Yamal has played just a handful of times at Camp Nou after making his first-team Barca debut in April 2023. Now, the 18-year-old has taken to social media to express his delight about playing at this famous stadium.

  In an Instagram story, he wrote: "Special nights are coming," before zooming in on Camp Nou with his phone camera.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  When will Barcelona play at Camp Nou again?

  For much of the past two years, while the Camp Nou works have gone on, Barcelona have played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which holds upwards of 50,000 fans. Reports suggest that Barca are waiting for a 1B license to be granted to them, which will allow them to open up another stand and host 45,401 supporters at Camp Nou. Now, Barcelona executive Joan Sentelles says he is hopeful they can play at their iconic home, with its reduced capacity of under 30,000, against Athletic Club on November 22 in La Liga.

  He told Esport3: "Our goal is to have it ready in time for the match against Athletic Club. As soon as we obtain the 1B license, we’ll open the Lateral Stand, which will already give us a capacity similar to the Olympic Stadium. At that point, it wouldn’t make sense to continue playing there – all our matches will be here."

  Sentelles added that they hope to nearly triple their current limit by the end of 2025.

  "The goal is to have the entire stadium open to 62,000 spectators before the end of the year," he revealed.

• Yamal an injury concern

  While it will be an emotional return to Camp Nou for Barcelona players and fans alike, there is no guarantee that Yamal will line up for this upcoming fixture. The youngster has been suffering with a groin problem known as pubalgia, something he has played through for club and country for a while now. There has been a war of words between Barca boss Hansi Flick and Spain manager Luis de la Fuente over Yamal's playing time, with the former concerned about him being overplayed. Moreover, in the past week, the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) expressed its "surprise and dismay" at seeing Yamal undergo an "invasive procedure" that led to his withdrawal from the latest La Roja squad. 

  After he was released from the national squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey, the RFEF said: "The Medical Services of the RFEF wish to express their surprise and discomfort after learning at 13:47 on Monday, November 10, the day of the start of the official training camp with the national team, that player Lamine Yamal had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure for the treatment of his pubic discomfort that same morning. This procedure was carried out without prior communication to the medical staff of the National Team, with knowledge of the details only through a report received at 22:40 last night, which indicated the medical recommendation of rest for 7-10 days. Given this situation, and prioritising at all times the health, safety and well-being of the player, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has made the decision to release the athlete from the current call-up. We are confident that he will recover well and wish him a speedy and full recovery."

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  What comes next for Yamal and Barcelona?

  Meanwhile, De la Fuente said Yamal was "very sad" to not take part in these games for his country.

  "Lamine is sad. He’s a player deeply committed to the national team and very well-liked," he said. "He left very sad; he was looking forward to playing these matches. He wants to have a great season with his club, and he also has the Finalissima and the World Cup etched in his memory. He’s the one who suffers the most. He always wants to come. He left sad and hurt. Anyone who says otherwise is lying or has bad intentions. I spoke with him. When we received the report last night, we let him rest. We went to his room and I spoke with him. I told him it was the first news he'd heard from the national team; I don't know if he had any information about Barcelona. He was incredibly sad and hurt. He was fine when he arrived. We didn't know anything until last night."

  When the international break ends, Barcelona take on Athletic Club, Chelsea, and Alaves in the space of a week to round off the month. It is hoped that Yamal will feature in those encounters despite his ongoing pubalgia issues.

Taunton surface falls foul of ECB regulations after 35 wickets fell in two days of Durham fixture in July

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2025

Durham captain Alex Lees assesses the Taunton pitch on day one•Getty Images

Somerset have been deducted four points in the Rothesay County Championship for a breach of ECB Pitch Regulations.The charge pertains to Somerset’s Division One fixture at against Durham in July which saw 35 wickets fall in just five sessions. Lord Ian Botham, Durham’s honorary president, accused his former county of deliberately preparing a playing surface that “reduces the game to a farce”.Match referee Simon Hink subsequently rated the Taunton pitch “below average”, with standing umpires Ian Blackwell and Martin Saggers noting the excessive turn across days one and two. The Pitch Regulations apply to all counties, with regulation 4.1 stating pitches must be prepared to provide “an even contest between bat and ball, and must allow all disciplines in the game to flourish”.Following an investigation by the Cricket Regulator, which included statements from players and coaches of both clubs, the Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) has handed Somerset a sanction of eight points, of which four are suspended until the close of play of the last day of the 2027 season. The immediate deduction means their season points tally drops to 175, though they remain third in Division One.While conduciveness to spin and the result – Somerset won by five wickets – were deemed aggravating factors, the tribunal acknowledged the club had sought to prepare the best possible pitch, and that the “substandard pitch rating” was their first in the last 24 months.The tribunal also deemed it “inherently unlikely” that Somrerset deliberately prepared a poor surface given the hosts bowled first after winning the toss, exposing themselves to batting last when conditions would have been at their toughest. It also noted the voluntary steps the club has already taken to trial alternative loam to improve its pitches at Taunton, and their co-operation throughout the process.”Whilst we are disappointed by the outcome, we are pleased that the tribunal rejected any suggestion that the Club deliberately sought to produce a substandard wicket,” said Somerset chief executive Jamie Cox in a statement released by the club. “We would also like to thank the CDP for their clarity and transparency throughout the hearing process.”Somerset County Cricket Club will always aspire to produce the best possible pitches which will ensure an enthralling contest between bat and ball.”

Tim David’s blitz in vain for St Lucia Kings, who went down by 27 runs

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025Captain Rovman Powell led the way, smashing an unbeaten 41 off 17 balls, as Barbados Royals secured their first win in CPL 2025. Despite that, Royals remained at the bottom of the points table and David Wiese’s St Lucia Kings remained at the top along with Nicholas Pooran’s Trinbago Knight Riders. Currently, only net run-rate separates Kings and TKR.After they were asked to bat first, Royals didn’t start well. They lost Quinton de Kock to left-arm fingerspinner Khary Pierre in the third over and by the end of the powerplay, they had managed only 39 for 1. Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm wristspinner from South Africa, then stifled Royals even further by taking out Brandon King (42), Kadeem Alleyne (39) and Sherfane Rutherford (16) in his four overs which cost Kings only 26 runs.When Powell joined Chris Green, Royals were 120 for 5 in the 16th over. Powell then teed off, lining up Alzarri Joseph for two sixes and a four in the 19th over. In the final over of the innings, bowled by rookie Delano Potgieter, Powell and Green combined to take three fours and a six.Green wasn’t done just yet. He struck with the new ball, dismissing Johnson Charles and Roston Chase. Wicketkeeper-opener Tim Seifert raced to 24 off 13 before he was bowled by Jomel Warrican. Tim David, one of the most dangerous finishers in the world, then threatened to take the game away from Royals until Daniel Sams interneved and cut his innings short on 44 off 28 balls.David’s dismissal left Kings at 94 for 6 in 12 overs, needing 98 off 48 balls. Cameos from Wiese and Joseph got Kings closer, but Royals finally wrapped up their first victory this season and kept their hopes of making the playoffs alive.

يلتقي منتخب الجزائر، اليوم السبت، مع نظيره البحرين، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العرب 2025 المقامة في دولة قطر.

وتقام مباراة الجزائر والبحرين على ملعب خليفة الدولي ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات ببطولة كأس العرب 2025.

طالع.. مجموعة مصر | موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة الكويت والأردن اليوم في كأس العرب 2025

وكان منتخب الجزائر قد تعثر في مباراته الأولى مع السودان بالتعادل السلبي، بينما خسر منتخب البحرين أمام العراق بهدفين مقابل هدف.

منتخبا الجزائر والسودان يحتلان المركزين الثاني والثالث بنقطة وحيدة، خلف العراق المتصدر بثلاث نقاط، بينما البحرين رابعا دون نقاط. موعد مباراة الجزائر والبحرين في كأس العرب

وتنطلق المباراة بين الجزائر والبحرين في الساعة الثالثة والنصف عصرا بتوقيت القاهرة والساعة الرابعة والنصف عصرا بتوقيت الدوحة والسعودية والبحرين، الثانية والنصف ظهرا بتوقيت الجزائر. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الجزائر والبحرين في كأس العرب

وتبث المباراة عبر قنوات بي إن سبورتس HD المفتوحة، بالإضافة إلى قناة الكأس، أبوظبي الرياضية، ودبي الرياضية وإم بي سي مصر 2.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

The Red Sox may have found a solution to their need at first base.

Following the Nationals' decision to designate Nathaniel Lowe for assignment, the veteran first baseman is reportedly finalizing a deal to join the Red Sox, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan.

Lowe, 30, signed with the Nationals this offseason and played in 119 games this year. He has a .665 OPS with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs, but a -0.4 WAR.

Boston has had a hole at first base since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in a base running accident. Rafael Devers was approached about taking over at the position, but refused and was eventually traded. Surprisingly, the Red Sox didn't make a move at the trade deadline to address the position, either.

They'll bring Lowe aboard in hopes that he can provide some stability at first base, though he could find himself in a platoon with Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro.

Lowe is in his seventh MLB season and has 105 home runs and 397 RBIs in 805 career games.

MatériaMais Notícias

Novo técnico do São Paulo, Luis Zubeldía é apresentado em entrevista coletiva na tarde desta segunda-feira (22). O treinador argentino estava na LDU, do Equador, e foi campeão da Sul-Americana e do Campeonato Equatoriano na última temporada. Ele assina com o Soberano até 31 de dezembro de 2025. Assista à apresentação AO VIVO com o Lance! no vídeo acima.

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Celtic are now reportedly confident that they’ll beat Manchester City to the signature of a rising star who made history back in February.

O'Neill confirms fresh Celtic timeline

It’s set to be a chaotic week at Celtic, with Wilfried Nancy set to arrive and Martin O’Neill set to take charge of his final European game as caretaker boss. The 73-year-old has done an admirable job and the Bhoys’ trip to Feyenoord represents the perfect way for him to pick up a win in the Europa League in his final attempt.

The veteran manager also confirmed that Nancy’s arrival is “imminent”. Whether that means the new manager will be in place in time to take charge of Celtic’s game against Hibernian this Sunday remains to be seen, however.

The Columbus Crew manager is already reportedly planning January reinforcements from the MLS side. Both Wessam Abou Ali and Diego Rossi have both already been linked with moves to Scotland ahead of Nancy’s arrival and both would certainly help to solve the Bhoys’ goalscoring issues.

If Celtic are to stand a chance of catching Hearts in the Scottish Premiership then the January window will be crucial. They must make up for their summer failure by reinforcing their attack in January, before continuing that work into the next window.

It’s then that they could welcome 17-year-old Michael Noonan by fending off interest from Premier League giants Manchester City.

Celtic confident they'll sign Michael Noonan

According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic are now confident they’ll sign Noonan ahead of interest from Man City next year in what would be an impressive coup for a rising star. The 17-year-old made history when he became the youngest goalscorer in Europa Conference League history at 16 years and 197 days old in February.

After scoring three goals at the U17 World Cup, Noonan earned the praise of scout Jacek Kulig, who dubbed the forward “a superb advanced striker” and “the future of Irish football”.

Nancy must unleash Celtic's most frustrating player since Engels

Wilfried Nancy must unleash this Celtic star who is their most frustrating player since Arne Engels.

1

By
Dan Emery

Nov 26, 2025

Everything points towards a top star on the rise and one that Celtic should do everything to sign. Beating Man City to such a talent would be an impressive move too, and the Hoops’ confidence suggests that Noonan could yet be on his way to Glasgow.

Celtic agree deal to appoint 54-year-old coach to Wilfried Nancy's backroom team

Kotian and Kamboj shared seven wickets between them in South Africa A’s second innings

Shashank Kishore01-Nov-2025India A 234 and 119 for 4 (Pant 64*, Patidar 28, Moreki 2-12, van Vuuren 1-20) need another 156 runs to beat South Africa A 309 and 199 (Hamza 37, Senokwane 37, Kotian 4-26, Kamboj 3-39)A few hundred fans lined the boundary wall of the BCCI Centre of Excellence, peering through barbed-wire fences for a glimpse of Rishabh Pant in action. Spectator entry was barred, but that didn’t deter them as a lot of them spent hours watching from outside.Their patience was richly rewarded as Pant made a fluent and an unbeaten half-century that carried the promise of much more to come on Sunday. His third-wicket stand of 87 with Rajat Patidar steadied India A after a top-order wobble in pursuit of 275 in the first four-day fixture against South Africa A.But with nine minutes left for stumps, left-arm quick Tiaan van Vuuren prised out Patidar as he attempted an upper cut but only managed a tickle through to the wicketkeeper. India A finished on 119 for 4, with South Africa A visibly unhappy with Pant taking his own time to receive treatment for cramps from the physio. This helped shave off four minutes from the clock. Ayush Badoni then played out six nervous deliveries, surviving a sharp bouncer that lobbed off the glove and had short leg scrambling a dive to almost pull off a stunner off the final ball of play.For the early part of the final session, this wasn’t the typically belligerent Pant innings. After starting with back-to-back boundaries off his third and fourth balls on walking in at 32 for 3, he settled into a period of restraint, defending solidly and dead-batting his way through the next 24 deliveries.Zubayr Hamza followed his first-innings 66 with an attractive 37 in the second•PTI Even with mid-off and mid-on up, Pant resisted the temptation to go aerial against offspinner Prenelan Subrayen, who was spitting venom in the first innings while picking up a five-wicket haul. Then, just when South Africa A seemed to have contained him, Pant broke free, skipping down the track to loft Subrayen inside out for a majestic six.Once he found his rhythm, Pant’s big hits became a regular feature through the afternoon. This change in approach offered South Africa A a golden chance when a half-flick, half-sweep off van Vuuren went straight to Okuhle Cele at fine leg. But Cele went low with his palms facing upward, and the ball slipped through.Pant, on 46 at the time, made the most of the reprieve, soon bringing up his half-century off just 65 balls when he crashed Subrayen on the up to the extra-cover boundary. And in what seemed like the biggest indication that he was well and truly back, he danced down a ball later to whip him from outside off to the deep midwicket fence.Like Pant, Patidar too had a very early reprieve soon after the tea interval. On 7, he should’ve been out poking to second slip, where Jordan Hermann put down a sitter off Cele. For much of the final session, Patidar quietly accumulated runs, and denied himself even when opportunities to drive were there with cover open.His only real flourish came when he leaned into a crisp on-the-up drive through cover off van Vuuren, during a spell when Pant was already taking the attack to the bowlers. But with stumps approaching, an ill-judged attempt at a cheeky upper cut brought his downfall.Tanush Kotian finished with eight wickets in the match•PTI Earlier, India A had been in deep trouble. Ayush Mhatre, fresh off a first-innings half-century, chopped on while attempting a cut; Devdutt Padikkal was bowled neck and crop by an in-ducker; and Sai Sudharsan fell lbw playing across the line. That was when Pant arrived, first to weather the storm, and then to seize control with trademark flair.While Pant impressed with the bat, Anshul Kamboj and Tanush Kotian shared seven wickets between them in the second innings, where South Africa A were bowled out for 199 after pocketing a 74-run first-innings lead.Zubayr Hamza was the only batter to display any kind of flair, hitting an attractive 30-ball 37, which included five fours in a single over off pacer Gurnoor Brar. Kotian, who picked up a four-for in the first innings, finished with a match haul of 8 for 109.