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Many within Tottenham are seriously impressed with a teenage talent yet to make his debut, as reliable journalist Alasdair Gold explains this week.

Spurs aiming to grow academy under Postecoglou

Planning for the future is one of Spurs' key goals as a club over the next few seasons, as already stated by manager Ange Postecoglou.

£26m forward's camp contacted by Tottenham as Levy eyes bargain summer deal

He’s been in fine form this season.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 26, 2024

The north Londoners have already added exceptional talents to their roster, like Micky van de Ven and Brennan Johnson, while Lucas Bergvall is set to arrive in the summer after Spurs hijacked Barcelona's deal to sign him in the winter.

It is also believed that Tottenham are eyeing up the likes of AC Milan starlet Francesco Camarda and Club Brugge sensation Antonio Nusa, with Postecoglou aiming to make N17 a dream location for rising stars.

"Anyone who has watched us since I've joined will have seen the aspirations we have to be the kind of team we want to be," said Postecoglou on signing young players.

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"That's not just me saying it, we're actually doing it. OK, we're not the finished product by any stretch but we're giving young players an opportunity: Destiny, Pape and Micky [are] all guys in their early 20s who have already played significant roles.

"So we're building a team. From our perspective it's pleasing and hopefully we become a club which is a preferred destination for talented young players. I've said the other day, there aren't too many hidden gems around. Everyone knows who the talents are. Hopefully our point of difference.. I've always felt your football is your biggest selling point beyond anything else. Hopefully we're showing evidence of that which is helping us."

Closer to home, the likes of Alfie Dorrington and Jamie Donley have already earned glowing praise from Postecoglou as promising assets off the N17 production line.

Another who could be one to watch, according to reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, is young goalkeeper Luca Gunter.

Many within Tottenham seriously impressed by Gunter

Writing a piece, Gold explains that many within Tottenham have been left really impressed by Gunter, who is yet to make his senior debut. The 19-year-old has been a regular for Spurs Under-21s, and has already been hailed by pundit John Wenham.

“He’s established himself as the top goalkeeper in the under 18s. Of the two keepers we have at that level, he is the standout," said Wenham to Football Insider in 2021.

"That’s further backed up by the fact he is the England goalkeeper for that level as well. Hopefully he can carry on impressing this season and he can have another full season of Under 18 football next season.

“The season after that, he could do a year with the Under 23s. By that point he will still only be 18. Then in 2023 or 2024, that is the prime time to get him out on loan.

“There is a long way to go before then so hopefully he keeps impressing at Hotspur Way. He’s one I’m really excited about."

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has told Mohamed Salah to "think about" a Red Dragons transfer as the Liverpool star's contract ticks down.

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Salah in last year of Liverpool contractReynolds sends message to EgyptianTold to "think about" Wrexham transferWHAT HAPPENED?

With Salah now in the last year of his Liverpool contract, speculation over his future continues to rumble on – although he appears set on playing for the Reds this season. Amid links with the Saudi Pro League, Hollywood actor Reynolds has sent a cheeky plea to the Egyptian international to join the League One side; while Hugh Jackman sang the praises of the 32-year-old.

AdvertisementWHAT RYAN REYNOLDS AND HUGH JACKMAN SAID

Ahead of promoting Deadpool & Wolverine, the duo were asked which Premier League footballer they would be.

Jackman said: "Mo Salah. I mean to be even in the same sentence as you is incredibly cool."

The Australian then read off a card: "Much like Salah, Jackman is renowned for his professionalism and dedication to his craft, delivering world class performances time and time again. Jackman has enjoyed a long and successful career in Hollywood with Salah also achieving sustained excellence over many years in the Premier League. Both are admired for their work ethic, consistency and longevity."

Reynolds interjected: "I feel Salah is getting a short shrift here. I feel like we could probably expound a bit more on his accomplishments. No, no, carry on with your vanity project."

Jackman later added: "I went to see you, while we were filming, play against Crystal Palace and I think you're awesome and amazing and please, please, please respond to my DM's."

Reynolds then said: "Ryan Reynolds, co chairman, Wrexham AFC. Mo you would be warmly embraced at the Racecourse Ground in North Wales."

Jackson added: "You wouldn't get a full 90 minutes but probably like 20 minutes every game," before Reynolds cheekily said: "All we need is five. Think about it."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Salah has done wonders for Liverpool since joining from Roma in 2017. During his time at Anfield he has helped the Reds win Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles but he could leave for free in 2025. While a Wrexham move is very unlikely, you can't knock Reynolds for trying.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Reynolds' Wrexham team continue their North America pre-season tour with a clash against Premier League side Chelsea this week, before taking on Major League Soccer outfit the Vancouver Whitecaps. Liverpool, meanwhile, are due to face Real Betis in a friendly clash this weekend.

CA is in the process of drawing up guidelines for how training will operate

Andrew McGlashan15-May-2020Over the next week or so, professional cricketers around Australia will dig out their kit bags and embark on a lengthy pre-season, which will likely have a very different feel from the usual as sport adapts to the new normal following the Covid-19 pandemic.The centrally contracted Australia players come off annual leave on Monday, a period where like the majority of the population they have been confined to homes, garages, gardens and the local parks for exercise.State squads are due to start filtering back into training and while the winter football codes – NRL and AFL – are preparing to return to action cricket training, at least to start with, will likely take the form of smaller groups.However, while those with Cricket Australia deals have some certainty over their position, state contracting lists remain to be confirmed.A couple of weeks ago, the Australian Institute of Sport issued a framework for the return of sport – CA’s Dr John Orchard was part of the team that put the document together – which included details such as the ban on using saliva and sweat on the ball at training. Since then, CA, led by head of science and medicine Alex Kountouris, has been working on overall guidelines for the states and national set-up.In normal circumstances, a number of players would have been at the IPL or taking up county contracts in England, while members of the men’s Test squad who were based at home would have been gearing up for a two-Test tour of Bangladesh.All of that, of course, was scuppered as the pandemic swept the world. There remains significant doubt as to when the international game will resume, although there are some positive steps being taken in the UK as England players will shortly return to individual training.While Australia’s men’s ODI and T20I sides may yet play their series against England in September, it is quite possible that there will be no international travel for any of the country’s cricketers this winter.International players are likely to be with their states through the build-up to the 2020-21 season, which is due to start in late September with the Marsh Cup and a women’s series against New Zealand. Given the positive progress against Covid-19 in Australia and across the Tasman, that timeline has a reasonable chance of happening.”We’ve got pre-season starting in a couple of weeks’ time. So fingers crossed, we can get back to that,” Travis Head said. “We’ve been fortunate enough in Adelaide with the restrictions starting to ease over the last couple of days. Hopefully it looks like we’ll be able to train in small groups.”For me and for all of us it’s about coming back as fit as we can. I’ve got some goals that I need to tick off going into pre-season, which will then lead me into having a really good baseline to go into pre-season. I’m excited and a bit nervous about the pre-season. I haven’t done one in a few years.”Looking back at the ones I have done, I’ll be hopefully able to come back very, very fit and ready to go. Hopefully I can excel during the pre-season and that will get me in good stead for the season. Being a leader within South Australia, having the whole squad home, myself, Alex Carey, Kane Richardson, those sort of guys home is going to be a really exciting pre-season and important giving the state of where we’re at.”

MLS has announced that sanctions are heading the LA Galaxy's way.

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MLS sanctions LA GalaxySuspensions for supporters + fineLook ahead at next matchWHAT HAPPENED?

MLS announced on Saturday that the league has sanctioned the LA Galaxy for misconduct during their July 4 against Los Angeles FC. In the latest edition of El Trafico, the contest put the two rivals against each other, with MLS deeming the Galaxy supporters took things a bit too far in the stands after fans were seen lighting flares.

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The Galaxy were fined $100,000 and will be "subject to league oversight related to security and supporter management processes," after they lit flares off in the stands during the match.

Additionally, all supporter privileges have been suspended, pending a league review, per the league-issued statement.

WHAT WAS SAID

“In coordination with MLS, the LA Galaxy agree to conduct a full investigation of the incident and violators will be subject to further penalties, indefinite bans and all appropriate legal action,” MLS said in a statement.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, responded, adding: “The LA Galaxy will continue to prioritize a safe and friendly environment for all fans and their families at Dignity Health Sports Park and at any venue where our club plays matches. The club prioritizes working closely with our supporter groups, which includes ensuring that they abide by the MLS Fan Code of Conduct. The LA Galaxy will continue to offer a supportive and safe environment for all fans to enjoy the game of soccer.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LA GALAXY?

The Galaxy take on FC Dallas Saturday evening in MLS action. Western Conference action, the two sides will meet as LAG look to climb to the top while FCD search for what's been an anomaly of a victory of late.

Whilst most of the focus is on the potential incomings at Arsenal this summer, reports suggest that a forgotten man will now be part of the departures at The Emirates in the coming months.

Arsenal transfer news

As the Gunners race towards potential Premier League glory, Mikel Arteta could be set to make some ruthless decisions on the transfer front with links to a clinical striker already stealing the headlines. Among those headlines have been Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres, with the former returning from suspension in fine form and the latter standing tall as one of Europe's best strikers this season.

Before they welcome fresh faces, however, the North London giants may need to make some room and sanction a number of departures. The likes of Thomas Partey and Aaron Ramsdale have been linked with moves away in the last year or so and could now be among those to be shown the door this summer. Ramsdale certainly didn't help his case in his most recent Arsenal outing, of course, making a mistake in a 2-1 victory over Brentford.

The shot-stopper and Partey aren't the only ones who could leave The Emirates this summer either, it seems. According to Dean Jones for GiveMeSport, Arsenal "will sell" Kieran Tierney this summer in a deal worth at least £20m. The left-back has been on loan at Real Sociedad this season after losing his place in Arteta's starting XI to Oleksandr Zinchenko in the last campaign.

10/10 Arsenal star has been even better than Havertz since Dubai trip

Arsenal have been on fire since their mid-season trip to sunny Dubai.

ByMatt Dawson Mar 10, 2024

Now, it seems as though the Gunners are ready to part ways with the former Celtic left-back, who takes up a reported £110k a week at the club. At £20m minimum, however, it remains to be seen where Tierney's future lies.

"Warrior" Tierney needs a fresh start

Whether it's been injuries or the arrival of Zinchenko, things just haven't worked out for Tierney at Arsenal, and now he may need a fresh start away from North London. Even at Real Sociedad, the Scot's injury problems haven't gone away, limiting him to just 13 appearances in La Liga this season in a frustrating campaign. The fact is, wherever his future lies, Tierney must fight to remain injury-free if he is to return to his best.

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There may well be many disappointed fans of Tierney regarding the fact that things haven't worked out, and that includes Premier League legend Ashley Cole, who once said via The Metro:

"I think he would have liked to see more game time, he’s had a few injuries that hampered his season. When he’s in the team, they are a different team, he’s willing to defend, he’s that kind of leader and warrior they need in this team.

"There were those questions marks over him and his ability to come from Scottish football and adapt to the Premier League. But I think he’s adapted very well. He’s got those leadership qualities which are needed along with the younger players in there. When he doesn’t play they miss him on he left. For me, he can defend which is a plus."

As FSG prepare to map out what the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield may look like, they are reportedly leading the pack to sign one of Europe's most sought after talents.

Liverpool's search for a midfielder

Despite the incredible success the side have enjoyed this season, it is clear that Liverpool are in need of reinforcements in the summer. Whilst new arrivals have come in and done well, it is clear that they have yet to determine what the future of their midfield looks like.

Blow for Liverpool after "big" update on "stand-out" manager target

The search for Klopp’s successor continues.

ByTom Coates Mar 6, 2024

Following the recent departures of both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, the Reds have struggled for consistency in the middle of the park. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have performed well so far however, there is uncertainty as to who else FSG see as the immediate answer in midfield.

It has previously been reported that Liverpool are in for Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala however, they will face stiff opposition from current Premier League champions Man City. Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella is another name linked, but they would once again be entering a bidding war for his signature.

Liverpool lead race for Serie A star

According to Sport Witness, reports out of Italy are suggesting that Liverpool are leading the race to sign Teun Koopmeiners this summer. The outlet states that the Reds are favourites alongside Juventus to secure the services of the Atalanta man for next season.

It is suggested that despite the Dutchman boasting many "admirers in the Premier League", Liverpool are sitting "in the front row", to get a deal over the line. If the Reds are to beat the Turin outfit to the 26-year-old's signature, it is reported that he could cost £51million, however this fee has the potential to drop to £43million further down the line.

It will be a case of Liverpool waiting to see what competition they have for the player before putting an offer in, but losing out on Koopmeiners would be a massive missed opportunity for Jürgen Klopp's men.

Midfielder Stats 2023/24

Goals

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Teun Koopmeiners

8

3

1048

41

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Dominik Szoboszlai

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2

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29

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Alexis Mac Allister

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Harvey Elliot

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2

438

15

5

From the above table, it is clear that Koopmeiners can go toe-to-toe with the Reds' current crop of midfielders. Where the Dutchman differs from his Anfield equivalents is his versatility. Able to produce a strong defensive output whilst still contributing on the goalscoring front makes the Atalanta man a very interesting prospect for Liverpool.

Whilst it is clear that Koopmeiners would be a good pickup for the Merseyside outfit, it will be no easy task to beat Juventus to his signature. The Dutchman has been linked with a move to Turin for a while with Inter Milan legend Beppe Bergomi saying that he "is a very strong left-footed player and would be an incredible coup" for the Italian giants.

Regardless of where he plays his football next season, it is clear that Koopmeiners is destined for greatness at the highest level of the European game.

History is on England’s side, but recent form and the weather favour India

The Preview by Saurabh Somani04-Mar-2020Big pictureIt’s going to be the world’s No. 1 batter against the world’s No. 1 bowler. That wasn’t true just a couple of weeks earlier, before the Women’s T20 World Cup started. But with the league stage done, Shafali Verma has zoomed to the top of the batting rankings, while Sophie Ecclestone has ascended to the top of the bowlers’ table.Both players have been crucial to their teams progress to the last four stage, though whether they get to square off against each other will not entirely be in their hands. The forecast for semi-final day in Sydney, where the matches will be played on Thursday, isn’t promising. There isn’t much wriggle-room in case of lengthy rain interruptions. Then too, given the minimum requirement of at least ten overs a side for ICC knockout matches, a spell of rain could mean an incomplete match. If that happens, India will go through to the final. That’s because they won all their group stage matches while England lost one, India thus finishing as the higher-ranked team. Both sides would rather play and beat the other to go through, of course, but if that doesn’t happen, India’s early consistency will have served them well.ALSO READ: Shafali Verma, Sophie Ecclestone top T20I rankingsIndia have the added motivation of avenging losses to England in the last two World Cups: they were handily beaten at the same stage at the T20 World Cup in 2018, and lost in heart-breaking fashion in the final of the 50-over event in 2017.Form guideIndia: WWWWL
England: WWWLLIn the spotlightIf you were told an Indian batter has aggregated 26 runs in four matches so far and is the only one with a sub-10 average, Harmanpreet Kaur might be the last name you would think of to fit those stats. Yet, incredibly enough, the woman who has played some of India’s most defining limited-overs innings and is still among the best white-ball players in the world has had a subdued T20 World Cup. Kaur has shown, though, that she is the archetypal big-match player, and there aren’t too many bigger matches than a World Cup semi-final.Four matches, three fifties, and the top spot among the run-getters’ list. Nat Sciver has been turning it on in some style at the T20 World Cup. England’s loss to South Africa in their opening match only served to galvanise the team, and Sciver was at the heart of much of the subsequent run of three straight wins that have put them in the semi-final. She has hit half of her eight T20I fifties in her last six innings, and is in the form of her life.Sophie Ecclestone celebrates another wicket for England•Getty ImagesTeam newsIndia will not want to tinker too much with a winning combination, and barring injury concerns, it’s tough to see them replacing anyone from the side that beat Sri Lanka to seal their top spot in Group A. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the team was well prepared for any shortened contest too.India (probable): 1 Shafali Verma 2 Smriti Mandhana 3 Jemimah Rodrigues 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt) 5 Deepti Sharma 6 Veda Krishnamurthy 7 Taniya Bhatiya (wk) 8 Shikha Pandey 9 Radha Yadav 10 Poonam Yadav 11 Rajeshwari GayakwadEngland came back well after a first-match loss to South Africa, and were particularly impressive in brushing West Indies aside in their last league match. They are also likely to stick to the same XI.England (probable): 1 Danni Wyatt 2 Tammy Beaumont 3 Natalie Sciver 4 Heather Knight (capt) 5 Fran Wilson 6 Amy Jones (wk) 7 Katherine Brunt 8 Anya Shrubsole 9 Maddy Villiers 10 Sophie Ecclestone 11 Sarah GlennPitch and conditionsThis is the first semi-final, and with another game scheduled after this, it is likely that a prolonged patch of clear weather will be needed to get in a complete game. The SCG has traditionally been more friendly for spinners than most other Australian surfaces, but the rain around might alter that. The rain subsided around noon on match eve, but the covers remained on.Stats and trivia 5-0 – that’s England’s record against India in T20I World Cups. They have won in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. Shafali Verma’s strike rate of 161.00 is the highest in the competition for any player with a minimum of 10 runs. Sophie Ecclestone’s economy rate of 3.23 is the best in the competition

Phil Foden insists England "definitely need" coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final against Netherlands.

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England coached by ex-Netherlands starFoden quizzed on former striker's loyaltyMidfielder says Three Lions 'need him'WHAT HAPPENED?

Hasselbaink has been part of Gareth Southgate's coaching staff since March 2023, but the Three Lions will come up against the Dutchman's nation on Wednesday in a battle for a place in the final of the tournament.

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Hasselbaink is tasked with preparing the England squad for the match against the nation he represented on 23 occasions between 1998 and 2002. He has been credited with helping the likes of Jude Bellingham improve their penalty taking as the Three Lions look to avoid another upset this week.

WHAT FODEN SAID

Foden has no concerns about Hasselbaink having split loyalties ahead of the game. When a reporter jokingly asked him if the former striker would be frozen out by the players and staff ahead of the game, the England star replied: "No, I think we need him! I think we need him for the work that he’s been doing. Yeah, we definitely need him!"

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

Foden and his Three Lions team-mates will go head-to-head with Hasselbaink's former national team with the aim of securing a place in the Euro 2024 final, where they will take on either France or Spain.

Tottenham are thought to have added a £26 million striker to their transfer target list as they scour the market for long-term Harry Kane replacements.

Spurs eyeing new centre-forward this summer

Despite Richarlison's transformation under Ange Postecoglou this season, it remains the case that Spurs are keen to sign a new number nine.

"Huge" – Sky pundit thrilled as Tottenham allegedly eye "next level" star

Spurs are apparently very keen on the £60 million man.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 28, 2024

The Lilywhites have been mentioned as potential suitors for Brentford star Ivan Toney, among others, in the past six months – but the centre-forward position was never a priority for January.

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The plan to bring in a striker was thought to be one for later in the year, with journalist Dean Jones saying late last year that Tottenham will sign a replacement for Kane once we get to 2024.

“I don't know what they will look for in a Kane replacement, but they would be silly not to be looking at Ferguson right now," said Jones to GiveMeSport, commenting on previous links to Brighton star Evan Ferguson.

"I know Manchester United have had an eye on Ferguson. I'm sure Chelsea will, too, given their recruitment policy. But Tottenham have to as well. They're going to have to sign another striker eventually. Son is good for now. With Richarlison, everything’s up in the air. They will sign a new striker once we get to 2024, and Ferguson has to be on the radar.”

Other reports suggest this is still firmly the case, with reporter Pete O'Rourke telling Football Insider that Tottenham wish to sign a marquee striker this summer.

"Tottenham are expected to sign a new marquee number nine this summer to replace departed legend Harry Kane," he wrote this month.

"Kane, 30, left Spurs last year (2023) after scoring 32 goals across all competitions for the Londoners in the 2022-23 campaign. It is believed Tottenham are stepping up their plans to land a marquee new forward in this year’s summer window. That is despite the promising form of their current strike force under Ange Postecoglou’s stewardship this term."

Amid their reported pursuits to shore up other key areas of the squad, though, it is unclear exactly how much club chiefs would be willing to spend on a goalscoring centre-forward.

Tottenham identify £26m Kane replacement Omar Marmoush

According to Bild, Spurs may have a cheaper option in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush.

Indeed, the German news outlet writes via Sport Witness that Tottenham have identified Marmoush as a striker target, and he could cost as little as €30m (£26m) to prise away from his club in the best-case scenario.

The Egyptian ace has bagged 10 goals and five assists in 18 Bundesliga appearances this season, with Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller calling him "tireless".

"He brings a completely different energy to our attacking play through his penetrating runs and tireless work rate," said Toppmoller.

Qalandars tumbled from 59 for 1 to 123 for 8 in front of a Lahore crowd that was watching their home franchise for the very first time

The Report by Danyal Rasool21-Feb-2020New year, new PSL, new venue. Same old Lahore Qalandars. An unbalanced squad, curiously playing without a specialist spinner, began their fifth PSL campaign with a crushing five-wicket defeat at the hands of Multan Sultans. Shan Masood’s side had the composure to see off an early storm from Qalandars’ big hitting openers, fully cognizant that once Fakhar Zaman and Chris Lynn were removed, there was little meat on the bare bones the rest of the batting side comprised.From 59 for 1 in 5.2 overs, Qalandars tumbled top 138 for 8 in their allotted 20, well below par in front of a Lahore crowd that was watching their home franchise for the very first time. They soon realised they hadn’t been missing much when the bowlers failed to trouble Multan too much in the run chase, Shan Masood’s composed 29-ball 38 anchoring his side towards the perfect in an edition where Multan brim with optimism.Qalandars’ ineptitude should not detract from the glimpses of brilliance that Multan showed in this game. The experienced spin duo of Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi had combined figures of 8-0-45-2, while Moeen Ali chipped in with a couple of wickets in addition to a brief cameo. Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Irfan were effective at the start and the death, while two wickets from an ever-improving Mohammad Ilyas make him one of the bowlers to watch as this PSL season takes shape.Multan were less convincing in the chase than they might have liked, with unforced errors giving Qalandars a peek back into the game on a couple of occasions. Moeen’s run out buoyed Qalandars, who were looking to Shaheen Afridi to provide them with an explosive start. His perfect yorker to castle James Vince was the ball of the day, but Rilee Rossouw did perfectly what Multan had bought him to do: guide the chase steadily and without dram, and even though Zeeshan Ashraf fell thanks to another run-out, the asking rate kept dipping. There was even time to dust off the old classic: a few lusty blows from Shahid Afridi who knocked off the winning runs.Turning pointWith Fakhar and Lynn at the top of an order where there wasn’t much big-hitting to follow, how the opening partnership pans out will be pivotal to Qalandars’ chances. Today, it looked like that necessary gamble was paying off when the pair found their range early, with Sohail Tanvir spanked for 18 in his second over, and the 50-partnership brought up in the fifth.And on came Moeen for the last powerplay over, Lynn poised, as if at the trapdoor like a dragon waiting to breathe fire. Moeen got singed first ball when a full toss was dispatched over long-on. But the next pull, he pulled his line back and took the pace off it. Lynn stepped back in his crease and tried to loft it over mid-off. His timing failed him, and Shan Masood took the catch. Two balls later, Zaman danced down the wicket and heaved Moeen into the onside. The ball nearly went up into orbit, but when it came down, it was still within the confines of the boundary, and Khushdil Shah at cow corner made no mistake with the catch. Multan were into Qalandars’ middle order, and in truth, there wasn’t much there to worry them.Multan’s two 40-year oldsDane Vilas smashed a couple of boundaries off Shahid Afridi, but that aside, there was little looseness from him, and, bowling alongside Tahir, he ended his spell at just a shade over a run a ball.Tahir, if it’s possible, was even more effective. He was thrust in during the business end of the powerplay when Lynn was giving the Lahore crowd a taste of his immense power-hitting ability and found himself roughed up in that first over. But thereon in, he was tight, squeezing Qalandars for runs and forcing them into low-percentage shots. Mohammad Hafeez fell to him this way, before Dane Vilas, who looked Qalandars’ best hope of a rearguard, dragging a flatter one onto his stumps. If anything, those figures of 4-0-21-2 were a little too harsh on him.Lahore’s beleaguered captainIt may sound like clutching at straws, but Qalandars may take some encouragement from their skipper Sohail Akhtar holding the innings together as wickets fell in clumps during the middle overs, serving as useful foil to Dane Vilas and Mohammad Hafeez, none of whom kicked on in the way Qalandarsneeded them to. It was up to Akhtar himself to provide the big finish, and he did indeed tonk Tanvir for a pair of sixes in the final over to give Qalandars something to bowl at.Where the teams standMultan’s convincing win takes them top of the table on net run rate, while Qalandars find themselves at the bottom.