O meia Luan Freitas retornou aos treinamentos na última semana e aproveitou para agradecer o departamento médico do Bahia, que cuidou de sua lesão desde o ano passado. Ansioso pela estreia no Brasileiro sub-20, o jogador afirmou que a estrutura do clube é ‘de outro mundo’.
– Sempre agradecer aos profissionais do Bahia que cuidaram muito bem da minha lesão, sempre me motivaram. É uma estrutura de outro mundo, que proporciona ao atleta a chance de se recuperar rápido – comentou o jogador.
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Há oito anos no Bahia, Luan também relembrou outras dificuldades durante a trajetória, mas que também o fortaleceu durante os anos na base do Tricolor de Aço.
Seu retorno está marcado para a última rodada do Brasileiro sub-20. Além disso, ele também jogará a Copa do Brasil da categoria.
– Era difícil no começo, pois tinha que pegar dois ônibus até chegar no CT, além de não ter muitas condições em casa. O Bahia foi essencial nessa caminhada, conseguiu facilitar as coisas com o passar do tempo e me sinto grato. Quero dar alegrias à torcida nos próximos anos – finalizouomeia.
Fair to say, it’s been a pretty miserable summer for Newcastle United supporters so far.
Let’s start with the positives; they have signed Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale, with the latter saving a penalty during Friday night’s pre-season friendly against Espanyol at St James’ Park.
One man who remains conspicuous by his absence is, of course, Alexander Isak, yet to feature at all during pre-season, as he pushes for a move to Liverpool.
Thus, as Eddie Howe’s team brace themselves for life without the superstar Swede, have they identified their ideal replacement?
Newcastle's search for a new striker
As has been widely reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic and many others, Newcastle found themselves in a head-to-head battle with Manchester United for striker Benjamin Šeško, with the Slovenian choosing to go to Old Trafford instead.
He is simply the latest in a long line of players Newcastle have been rather publicly and ignominiously turned down by during this window, including strikers Hugo Ekitiké, Liam Delap and João Pedro, to name but a few, so have they turned their attention to a new target?
Benjamin Sesko 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Well, according to Graeme Bailey of TBR Football, Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign Samu Aghehowa from Porto.
Adam Crafton and Ornstein of The Athletic add that the Magpies are ‘considering’ making a move for the 21-year-old, who is reportedly valued at around £65m by the 30-time Portuguese champions.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
So, could the Spaniard soon swap the Estádio do Dragão for Tyneside?
What Samu Aghehowa would bring to Newcastle
First and foremost, to avoid confusion, worth stating up front that, up until November last year, he was known as Omorodion, but requested to go by Aghehowa henceforth, his maternal surname, in honour of his mother.
On the pitch too, he’s had an interesting start to his burgeoning career.
Samu Omorodion for Alaves
On the opening day of the 2023/24 La Liga season, then a teenager, he marked his senior debut with a goal for Granada against Atlético Madrid during a 3-1 defeat at the Metropolitano.
Well, los Colchoneros were so impressed that they signed the unknown youngster just a few days later, paying his €6m (around £5.1m) buyout clause, although he would never actually play for Atleti.
He was immediately loaned out to Deportivo Alavés, scoring eight La Liga goals for los Blanquiazules, including netting home and away against Barcelona, which certainly caught the attention of clubs around Europe.
Sesko vs Hojlund
On the back of this, Chelsea agreed to pay £34m to secure his signature last summer, but the deal collapsed at the 11th hour due to ‘major problems… finalising’ the striker’s contract, supposedly relating to image rights.
Instead, he joined Porto for a reported fee of £12.7m, where he has taken his game to a new level.
In the last 12 months, the 21-year-old has become a full Spain international, debuting against Switzerland in Tenerife last November, before also coming off the bench during June’s Nations League semi-final victory over France.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout was certainly impressed by his performances in Portugal, labelling Aghehowa a “monster”, praising his “pace, physicality and aerial ability”.
FC Porto's SamuOmorodioncelebrates scoring their first goal
Meantime, Elias Burke and Gillian Kasirye of the Athletic document how he is the ‘prototype’ of a modern-day centre-forward, given that the Spaniard is ‘tall, quick, and physically imposing’, noting that he also possesses ‘exceptional pace’ and ‘excellent off-ball positioning’ in the penalty area.
Nevertheless, the question still remains; would he be a better signing than Šeško? Let’s compare the duo to find out.
Appearances
45
45
Minutes
3,400
3,258
Goals
27
21
Assists
3
6
Goals – xG
+6.6
+2.8
Shots on target %
41.2%
47.5%
Shots per 90
2.83
2.92
Big chances missed
25
18
Big chances created
7
7
Shot-creating actions
64
58
% of touches in penalty area
20.4%
10.4%
Average SofaScore rating
6.99
6.92
As the table documents, in a near-identical number of minutes, the pair’s statistics are remarkably similar across the board.
The Spaniard scored more goals and overperformed his expected goals by an impressive amount, while the fact he takes over 20% of his touches inside the opposition’s penalty area underlines his poachers’ instincts.
Worth noting that Aghehowa was playing at a slightly lower level; according to Global Football Rankings, the Primeira Liga is the seventh-strongest league in the world, four places below the Bundesliga.
Also, Porto were, and still are, stuck in the Europa League, while RB Leipzig competed in last season’s Champions League, albeit the Spaniard did score six times in nine European appearances, also netting twice during the Club World Cup back in June.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSesko
Thus, with Šeško snubbing a possible move to Tyneside, Aghehowa appears to be the next-best option on the market, so it would be smart for Newcastle to turn their attention to the Spain international.
Newcastle want to sign "brilliant" Wilson replacement who has 68 PL goals
The Magpies could land a bargain as they look to replenish both striker berths.
علق جول كوندي لاعب برشلونة بعد الهزيمة أمام باريس سان جيرمان بثنائية لهدف واحد في إطار منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وكانت المباراة بين الفريقين قد جرت على ملعب “مونتجويك” في الجولة الثانية بمرحلة الدوري لدوري أبطال أوروبا.
وشارك الظهير الفرنسي الدولي كوندي منذ بداية اللقاء، وسعى إلى جانب بقية زملائه لتحقيق الانتصار الثاني على التوالي في دوري الأبطال لكنه اصطدم ببطل دوري أبطال أوروبا.
أقرأ أيضاً.. يويفا يعلن المرشحين للفوز بلاعب الأسبوع في دوري أبطال أوروبا
وقدم كوندي تقييماً واضحاً لما افتقر له برشلونة لتحقيق الفوز، وقد انتهز المدافع الفرنسي الفرصة للإشادة بالباريسيين في مباراة اليوم.
وقال كوندي في تصريحات نشرتها “فوت ميركاتو” الفرنسية: “أعتقد أنهم كانوا متفوقين بدنياً، لم نتمكن من الضغط عليهم كما أردنا”.
وأضاف: “أود أيضاً التأكيد على أنهم قدموا أداءً رائعاً، هذا ليس مفاجئاً، كنا نعرف جودة هذا الفريق، هما مليئون بالثقة ويضمون لاعبين متميزين”.
واختتم الفرنسي تصريحاته: “اليوم أثبتوا أنهم بطل أوروبا، لقد كانوا الأفضل الليلة بكل بساطة”.
Arsenal have fortified some major areas of weakness this summer in the hopes of finally becoming Premier League champions following back-to-back-to-back second-place finishes.
Mikel Arteta’s side fought off a number of suitors in the race to sign lethal Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. Gyokeres bagged the opener in Sunday’s pre-season clash with Athletic Bilbao, but the club are already looking at bringing in more players who can supply him with even more chances.
One of those players is Crystal Palace’s FA Cup-winning attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, who has been linked with a move north of the Thames, but he’s not the only attacker still on Andrea Berta’s shortlist, with the Italian sporting director renowned for pursuing several targets at once.
Arsenal and Inter Milan face off for Lookman
Over the last month, Sports Witness have covered reports from Italy about Arsenal’s interest in former Premier League forward Ademola Lookman. Lookman is seen as a backup if they fail to sign preferential targets or if Leandro Trossard completes a move away from the club.
However, Arsenal are not the only team interested in the Nigeria star, and they face competition from Inter Milan. The report adds that both clubs are somewhat wary of the other’s interest and may act to secure Lookman’s signature before he can be tempted by the other.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring their second goal with Atalanta's GiorgioScalviniand Atalanta's Matteo Ruggeri
Inter have already submitted a bid of around £39 million, but Atalanta have turned this down in the hopes of receiving a better offer, with the reports suggesting Berta could hijack the deal with a bid closer to £44m.
Lookman's post-Premier League development
Fans only familiar with Lookman’s time at Everton may question why Arsenal are looking at him as a player who could turn them into title contenders, as his tenure in the league was far from illustrious. However, since his move abroad, he has developed year-on-year into a formidable forward.
Goal Involvements (All Competitions)
Goal Involvements
2019/20 – RB Leipzig
0
2020/21 – Fulham (Loan)
8
2021/22 – Leicester City (Loan)
14
2022/23 – Atalanta
21
2023/24 – Atalanta
26
2024/25 – Atalanta
26
Stats Via FotMob
Lookman’s only full season at Leipzig was one of the lowest points for his career, registering 0 goal involvements across all competitions. However, since then, he has improved his numbers year on year to the point where he finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings and won African Footballer of the Year in 2024, cementing himself as a “world-class” player.
Last season, he matched his 2023/24 record of 26 goal involvements but did so in five fewer appearances after suffering a knee injury. Based on his goal involvement to game ratio last season, if Lookman hadn’t been injured, he would have likely been involved in another three goals, which would have resumed his six-season run of continuous improvement.
At 26 years old, Lookman has developed into the finished product that will be able to come into either the Arsenal or the Inter side and immediately lift those around him, and that is likely why Berta is considering him.
Saqib Mahmood has finally received his visa for England’s upcoming limited-overs series in India, meaning he will be able to travel with the team to Kolkata on Friday ahead of Wednesday’s first T20I.Mahmood, who is of Pakistani heritage, had encountered a delay in obtaining the travel document, forcing him to miss an England training camp in the UAE. Two other members of the T20I squad of similar background – Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed – had received their visas earlier.The Lancashire seamer had encountered similar issues in the past when, in 2019, he was replaced for an England Lions tour of India following a drawn-out visa process. In 2024, he sat out Lancashire’s pre-season tour having anticipated the same problem, months after England offspinner Shoaib Bashir missed the first Test against India in Hyderabad due to the slow processing of his visa.Mahmood was supposed to attend a pace-bowling camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of the India tour, led by fast bowling consultant James Anderson, which featured the likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood. Those plans were scuppered by the fact the Indian Embassy still had his possession of his passport, with Mahmood having originally intended to travel to the UAE with the group last Thursday.The 27-year-old has been on something of a comeback trail, overcoming consecutive lower-back stress fractures to return to the international fold last year, and was named player of the series during England’s T20I series in the Caribbean in November, taking nine wickets at 10.55. With 29 appearances in all formats, including two Test caps against West Indies in 2022, Mahmood will be keen to impress head coach Brendon McCullum who is now in charge of England’s red- and white-ball sides.
While they didn’t exactly kick off their Premier League campaign in style, Chelsea got back on track with their thumping win away to West Ham United on Friday night.
The fans will be expecting Enzo Maresca’s side to do even better than last season this year, and rightly so, as the board have more than done their part over the last few months by significantly strengthening the side.
The likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and more all look like great buys, and with a week to go until the window slams shut, the West Londoners seem intent on bringing in more talent.
One of the players who now seems almost sure to join the club is Alejandro Garnacho, although if reports are to be believed, the Blues could be set to sign another international ace who’d keep him out of the team.
Chelsea target Garnacho upgrade
Chelsea’s interest in Garnacho has been a longstanding one, with reports touting him for a move to the club back in the winter window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Things have significantly progressed this summer, though, with the Manchester United ace reportedly rejecting other clubs to join the Blues, so long as a deal can be worked out between the two sides.
The Madrid-born gem would undoubtedly add dynamism and more of a goal threat to Maresca’s squad, but it now looks like the West Londoners are closing in on another attacker, someone who’d surely keep him out of the team.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, which has reaffirmed Chelsea’s interest in Xavi Simons.
More than that, though, the report has claimed that, on top of already having an agreement with the player, the player will try to secure his move to the Bridge before deadline day.
In other words, the West Londoners are trying to bring the RB Leipzig star to Stamford Bridge this week, and while no price is mentioned in the story, reports from earlier this summer claim that an offer of £61m should be enough to seal the deal.
That is certainly a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Simons’ ability and potential, he’d be worth it, even if he’d keep Garnacho out of the team.
Why Simons would keep Garnacho out of the team
Unfortunately for Garnacho, while he is a versatile player who can thrive in attacking midfield and off the left, so can Simons.
RB Leipzig'sXaviSimonsreacts after the match
In fact, the Flying Dutchman has shown himself to be even more versatile than the Argentine, as on top of playing in the middle and off the left, he has spent time off the right and up top.
In other words, the United ace would almost certainly be in competition for game time with the Leipzig star, and based on the last season or so, we’d pick the latter every time.
For example, when it comes down to their raw output, there is just no competition.
In his 33 appearances for the German outfit last year, totalling 2763 minutes, the unreal “game-changer,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 11 goals and provided eight assists.
That means he was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes.
In contrast, the 21-year-old Red Devils ace scored 11 goals and provided ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3568 minutes, last term.
That comes out to a notably worse average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or every 169.90 minutes.
The comparison is just as, if not more, one-sided when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers.
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
0.67
0.33
Progressive Passes
5.86
2.30
Progressive Carries
3.56
5.78
Key Passes
2.13
1.52
Passes into the Final Third
3.31
0.90
Passes into the Penalty Area
2.51
1.02
Shot-Creating Actions
4.52
3.40
Goal-Creating Actions
0.50
0.25
Tackles Won
0.88
0.74
Blocks
0.79
0.78
Clearances
0.79
0.45
Successful Take-Ons
1.38
1.07
Here, the former Paris Saint-Germain gem comes out comfortably ahead in most relevant metrics, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, from their output to their underlying numbers, there is nothing that suggests Garnacho is even on the same level as Simons.
Therefore, as they play in the same positions on the pitch, it seems almost certain that the latter will keep the former out of the Chelsea team this season.
He's their next Palmer: Chelsea ace has held talks over leaving the Bridge
Chelsea really are having a summer clearout as this rising star looks set to be the next to leave.
Nesta terça-feira, 16 de maio de 2023, o Palmeiras completa dois anos do anúncio de uma notícia que o torcedor sonhou em ler: a volta de Dudu, após empréstimo ao Al Duhail, do Qatar. Quando parecia que a história do camisa 7 com a camisa alviverde tinha acabado, o time do Oriente Médio não cumpriu o acordo de compra após a temporada local e o atacante retornou para casa. Com tudo o que aconteceu desde então, ele se tornou ainda mais ídolo e a equipe menos dependente dele do que já foi um dia.
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+ Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui
Dudu deixou o Verdão em meados de 2020, quando acumulava três títulos pelo clube (Copa do Brasil-2015, e Brasileirão 2016 e 2018) e já era um ídolo colocado em patamar alto na história palmeirense. Isso porque ele se fazia decisivo nas conquistas, defendia o escudo como um torcedor de alma e coração, e correspondia em campo como o principal jogador do time temporada após temporada. Aliás, em sua saída, já se falava até em uma preocupação sobre como seria o Palmeiras sem o seu grande craque dos últimos anos, tamanha a dependência.
No entanto, o clube conseguiu uma reformulação nesse meio tempo em que Dudu ficou longe. O time conquistou o Paulistão sob o comando de Vanderlei Luxemburgo, que acabou deixando o cargo para a entrada de Abel Ferreira, que mudou o patamar da equipe para sempre, conquistando Libertadores e Copa do Brasil. Aquela dependência do camisa 7 no campo já parecia superada, mas ficava a sensação de “como seria esse time com o Baixola?”. E talvez até mesmo o pensamento dele era exatamente esse quando retornou.
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Sem acordo para a compra definitiva do atacante por parte do clube do Qatar, o Verdão esperou o encerramento do empréstimo para reintegrar seu jogador. Foi preciso um tempo para se readaptar ao futebol brasileiro e, principalmente, se adaptar ao novo Palmeiras de Abel. Dudu seguia como maior ídolo em atividade no clube, mas sua função em campo não era mais ser o único protagonista, e sim dividir o protagonismo com outros atores que se tornaram principais em sua ausência. O camisa 7 não perdeu espaço, pelo contrário, ganhou colegas para dividir a responsabilidade.
Assim, foi com ele em campo de forma decisiva que o Verdão conquistou a Libertadores de 2021 batendo o Flamengo, em Montevidéu. Foi com ele também que o Alviverde foi vice-campeão Mundial e por muito pouco não levou o tão sonhado título. Depois, a porteira abriu ainda mais com Recopa Sul-Americana, com Paulistão (duas vezes), com mais um Brasileirão e com a inédita Supercopa do Brasil, outra vez contra o Flamengo. Conquistas atrás de conquistas que colocaram o Baixola ainda mais ídolo do clube e em um patamar ainda maior.
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Desde que voltou, segundo dados do “Análise Verdão”, Dudu fez 120 jogos, marcou 16 gols, deu 23 assistências, criou 128 chances para gol (média de mais de uma por jogo), tem média de 0,6 finalização por jogo e acerta 66% dos dribles que tenta. Números de um titular absoluto, que mostram a importância do jogador e o porquê de ser essencial mesmo com um jejum de gols que foi encerrado recentemente.
+ OLHAR DO PORCO: Sem Artur, Abel tem diversas opções para escalar o Palmeiras diante do Fortaleza
Sem contar Paulistão-2020 e Libertadores-2020, títulos nos quais ele fez parte do grupo, mas não estava no elenco quando a taça foi levantada, Dudu conquistou seis títulos na sua volta (Libertadores-2021, Recopa-2022, Paulistão-2022, Brasileirão-2022, Supercopa-2023 e Paulistão-2023). Isso fez com que ele subisse muitos degraus entre os maiores campeões da história do clube. São 11 conquistas no total, uma a menos do que Ademir da Guia e Junqueira, que lideram o ranking com 12 taças. Ou seja, tudo indica que o Baixola vai alcançar esse pessoal em breve.
Southampton have entered talks over a deal for a “physically strong striker”, with negotiations now underway, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
Saints keen on new forward amid Dibling uncertainty
The emergence of Tyler Dibling was one of the only positives for the Saints last season, in what was a very disappointing Premier League campaign, but there is a great deal of uncertainty over the academy graduate’s future.
Will Still has now dropped a new update on the youngster’s future, with the manager admitting he doesn’t know whether the teenager will remain at St. Mary’s beyond the September 1st deadline.
Still said: “I want good players and if Ty is here (Tyler Dibling) and Matty is here by the end of it then great, if they’re not, we will work out a way of winning games without them and wish them the best but I have no idea where that’s going right now.”
Southampton now 'most concrete option' for £3m star likened to John Stones
The Saints could be about to land an exciting talent.
BySean Markus Clifford Aug 15, 2025
Should Dibling depart, Still may be keen to bring in at least one new attacker, and a preliminary contract has been offered to Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan, while talks have also been opened over a deal for West Bromwich Albion star Tom Fellows.
Another forward has now entered the frame as a target for the Saints, and he’s a player Still knows very well, with Romano taking to X to reveal that Southampton have now opened talks over a deal for Lens’ Morgan Guilavogui.
The Saints’ negotiations to sign the forward are now “underway”, but they are yet to strike an agreement with Lens regarding a transfer fee.
St. Pauli'sMorganGuilavoguiin action with Holstein Kiel's Nicolai Remberg
The French club reportedly shelled out €4.5m (£4m) to re-sign their former player earlier this summer, however, which indicates a deal may not break the bank.
Guilavogui would be versatile attacking option for Still
Still should have a good knowledge of the Lens forward’s abilities, with the Saints boss spending time working with him during his stint at the French club, and he would be a versatile addition to the forward line.
The 27-year-old is capable of playing on both wings, suggesting he could be brought in as a direct replacement for Dibling, while the France born attacker has also been praised for his ability through the middle.
St Pauli manager Alexander Blessin said: “Morgan is a physically strong striker who is very active and direct and constantly making runs in deep. He can make chances for himself by taking defenders on and also creates good opportunities for his teammates.”
“Equally important for our game, however, is the fact that Morgan transitions quickly and works very hard defensively.”
Having scored 54 career goals at club level, including six in the Bundesliga last season, Guilavogui clearly has a keen eye for goal, and the former St Pauli man has the talent to play a major role in the Saints’ promotion push.
أكد أسامة حسني، نجم الأهلي السابق، إن القلعة الحمراء تقدّر كثيرًا الدور الذي قام به عماد النحاس خلال الفترة الماضية، مشيرًا إلى أنه كان أحد الأسباب الرئيسية في تحقيق الفريق للقب الدوري الموسم الماضي، وكاشفًا عن موعد التعاقد مع المدرب الأجنبي الجديد.
وقال حسني في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “mbc masr”: “نشكر الكابتن عماد النحاس على مجهوده الكبير في الموسم الماضي، ففي واحدة من أصعب الفترات التي مر بها الأهلي، تولّى المسؤولية في آخر ست مباريات، وتمكّن من الفوز بها جميعًا، وكان سببًا مباشرًا في حصول الفريق على بطولة الدوري”.
وأضاف: “أما هذا الموسم، فقد خاض الفريق تحت قيادته خمس مباريات، تعادل في الأولى أمام إنبي، ثم فاز في أربع مباريات متتالية، وهو ما ساهم في تصدر الأهلي لجدول الدوري وعودته بقوة إلى المنافسة، وهذا جزء مهم جدًا في مشوار الفريق”.
طالع أيضًا | رانجنيك يكشف لـ”بطولات” الحقيقة الكاملة.. هل اقترب من تدريب الأهلي؟
وتابع أسامة حسني: “لكن السؤال الآن، هل الأهلي بحاجة إلى مدير فني أجنبي؟ بالفعل، الأهلي يحتاج إلى مدرب أجنبي صاحب شخصية قوية، ومعه جهاز بدني مميز أيضًا، لأن هذه الفترة تتطلب إعدادًا خاصًا للفريق”.
وأردف: “خلال الأيام الماضية سمعنا أن التعاقد مع المدير الفني الأجنبي قد يتأخر إلى فترة التوقف في شهر نوفمبر أو حتى كأس الأمم في ديسمبر، لكنني أؤكد أن المدير الفني الأجنبي سيكون متواجدًا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالية، وخلال أسبوع على الأكثر سيتم الإعلان عنه رسميًا”.
واختتم أسامة حسني تصريحاته قائلًا: “الأهلي درس العديد من السير الذاتية، ويبحث عن مدير فني يتمتع بشخصية قوية ويمكنه الاستمرار مع الفريق لمدة موسمين أو ثلاثة على الأقل، لتحقيق الاستقرار الفني المطلوب في المرحلة القادمة”.
Ghulam and Rizwan added 81, but Pakistan were eventually out for 211 on opening day
Danyal Rasool26-Dec-2024
Dane Paterson repeatedly did damage to Pakistan•Gallo Images
South Africa did to Pakistan what they always do to Pakistan at Centurion, blitzing them with the ball in the second hour of the first session before skittling them out for 209. Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson cashed in after a superb opening hour of bowling from Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, which openers Shan Masood and Saim Ayub rode their luck to survive. A couple of partnerships for Pakistan were more than offset by the wickets Paterson, who ended up with five, and Bosch, took in clumps, and just after the third session began, Pakistan had folded for 209, Kamran Ghulam’s half-century the only real source of resistance. Pakistan responded gamely with the ball in hand, puncturing South Africa with three wickets, but having added 82, South Africa will feel they have had the better of the day.The story of the opening session changed the moment Temba Bavuma through the ball to debutant Bosch. He began with a loosener well outside off stump. Masood, who had been forced to deal with an unerring fourth stump all of the first hour, had his eyes light up as he slashed at it, with a thick outside edge carrying to Marco Jansen at third slip to give him a first-ball wicket.All of a sudden, the good balls that kept missing edges started to find them. Paterson nipped one away to Ayub, who was uncharacteristically defensive, accumulating a painstaking 14 off 35 balls. It kissed the outside edge, and both openers were back in the pavilion. Paterson wasn’t done, because Babar Azam, returning to the side, also had a prod at one well outside off stump, the tentativeness of his stroke revealing his lack of confidence; it was meat and drink for the slips again.Related
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With Pakistani defenses going haywire, Saud Shakeel went for the other extreme, looking to take every ball on, but it was just six deliveries before that strategy ran out of road. He gloved a hook through to the keeper, with South Africa successfully reviewing to send him on his way.It will be all the more frustrating for Pakistan after a magnificent first hour of South African bowling went unrewarded. With Kagiso Rabada and Jansen nipping it around, it was obvious why Bavuma had opted to put Pakistan in, but somehow, they had gritted out a way to see off the two leading bowlers.An 81-run stand between Ghulam, who scored an entertaining half-century, and Mohammad Rizwan looked to have dragged Pakistan out of the hole they were put in during the morning session. Rizwan and Ghulam had been building up the partnership the other side of lunch, and continued in similar vein. But with the clouds menacingly moving right overhead, the luckless Rabada was brought in for another excellent but fruitless spell. It produced the most engaging cricket of the day, with both KGs locking horns on more than one occasion; Rabada grew increasingly frustrated with Kamran Ghulam’s stubborn resistance and got close enough to tell him, with Ghulam responding in less than family-friendly terms to go back to the bowling crease.Kamran Ghulam was out for 54 off 71•AFP/Getty Images
With the crowd engaged, Ghulam edged one to the slips that Jansen shelled, and brought up his half-century, but South Africa would not be denied. Ghulam slogged Paterson, only to top-edge him to fine leg, where none other than Rabada stood to take the catch that sent a full SuperSport Park into a frenzy.One wicket brought more for South Africa before lunch, and so it proved again. Rizwan nicked off in the next Bosch over before Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal set about another rebuild. With ten minutes to tea, the duo was closing in on another 50-partnership, but one more South African burst would prove the knockout blow.South Africa had put down a couple of chances in the slips off the outside edge, so Bosch found the inside edge of Jamal as he chopped on, before a surprise bouncer from Paterson saw the back of Agha.Once Pakistan had wrapped up, there was enough time for the story of the day to be rewritten, and Khurram Shahzad threatened to do precisely that when he cut Tony de Zorzi in half with perhaps the ball of the day. Constantly threatening both edges of the bat, he found Ryan Rickleton’s outside edge to reduce South Africa to 24 for 2, and wrest momentum back to take into the second day.His peers, however, couldn’t sustain that quality, and South Africa settled. Aiden Markram has been under fire lately for getting out after getting in, and was brave enough to be positive all the same, never letting Pakistan put too much pressure on the batters. That was crucial, especially with Tristan Stubbs looking less than assured at the crease. His manner of dismissal, though was unfortunate, as one appeared to hit a crack and make a beeline for his front shin, giving Pakistan encouragement to take from a day that, thanks to Paterson and Bosch, South Africa will claim as theirs.