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In an unprecedented move in Indian domestic cricket, the Punjab Cricket Association has appointed Intikhab Alam, the former Pakistan captain and coach, as coach-cum-manager of its Ranji Trophy team for the coming season

Wisden Cricinfo staff25-Oct-2008

Intikhab Alam: moves across the border to coach Punjab© Getty Images
In an unprecedented move in Indian domestic cricket, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has appointed Intikhab Alam, the former Pakistan captain and coach, as coach-cum-manager of its Ranji Trophy team for the coming season. Intikhab, 62, will replace Bhupinder Singh senior, the former Indian medium-pacer, who was in charge of the side for more than six years.Intikhab will become the first foreigner to coach any Indian domestic team. He had a very successful time coaching Pakistan, with the World Cup victory in 1992 the glittering highlight.Intikhab has been appointed for a one-year term, beginning in September. The PCA confirmed that they have put in a request to the Indian board about the appointment. The reported that Intikhab was extremely pleased about the appointment, and quoted him as saying: “IS Bindra [the PCA president] approached me during the India-Pakistan series. I thought about it for three weeks before realising this was a challenge I couldn’t pass up.”Intikhab felt that the Indian domestic structure was better than its Pakistan counterpart, as “You don’t have institutions or banks involved.”Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI president, did not foresee any problems with this appointment. “We have no problem with it. In fact, Punjab cricketers would benefit from Alam’s experience since he speaks Punjabi so well and was also born in Indian Punjab.”And Intikhab also didn’t think there would be any problems communicating with the players, and added, “I don’t think there will be any cultural or language problems because I was born in Hoshiarpur, I speak the language.”

Owais Shah has dispelled rumours of switching counties by signing a long-term contract with Middlesex.Shah, who made his debut for the club in 1996, said that the “thought of not playing for Middlesex and not playing at Lord’s was one I couldn’t really come to terms with. With the potential in the current squad, I am sure that we can seriously challenge for honours in the next few years”.Vinny Codrington, the Middlesex chief executive, said: “It is great news that a player as highly regarded as Owais has committed his future to Middlesex. I am sure we can build on the success achieved this year with players of his quality in our side.”Shah, who is currently in his benefit year, is in the England one-day squad who are midway through their series against South Africa.

The fate of the Champions Trophy hangs on Sunday’s telephone hook-up after it emerged that India and Pakistan have hardened their position on the tournament going ahead as scheduled

Cricinfo staff21-Aug-2008
It’s expected that the BCCI and PCB will once again highlight the ICC’s “positive” security assessment after the Asia Cup in Pakistan in June-July at Sunday’s teleconference © AFP
The fate of the Champions Trophy hangs on Sunday’s telephone hook-up after it emerged that India and Pakistan have hardened their position on the tournament going ahead as scheduled from September 12 onwards in Karachi and Lahore, leaving the ICC with the possibility of a cancellation otherwise.An option is to relocate the tournament to Sri Lanka, the official alternate venue – a solution that ESPN-Star Sports (ESS), the official broadcaster, may agree to even at this late stage – but India and Pakistan remain adamant that the tournament cannot be shifted on what they believe are “flimsy grounds”.The ICC, it is learnt, was informed about this view during a meeting at its headquarters in Dubai on Wednesday evening between David Morgan, its president, Sharad Pawar, its vice-president who also heads the BCCI, Haroon Lorgat, its chief executive and Shafqat Naghmi, the chief operating officer of the PCB. Apparently, there is also a credible pullout threat from Pakistan, backed by India, if the venue is changed.Asked if moving the tournament to Sri Lanka was a solution, a source said, “You can’t rule out the possibility of a cancellation, considering the absolute lack of a consensus at this stage.”There is no other alternative for the tournament which involves teams from the top eight cricket nations, sources told Cricinfo. “If countries like Australia pull out, there is no question of the tournament going ahead with substitutes like Bangladesh,” a source said. “The broadcasters are not going to allow that.”Crucially, it’s understood that ESS is concerned as there is no clarity yet on the tournament, which is less than a month away, and is open to a shift in order to salvage the situation. “Obviously, ESS wants the best teams to participate and ensure a world-class tournament,” a source said. “It is possible [to ensure quality coverage] if it is shifted to a nearby country even now, but it will involve significant extra costs for the broadcaster.”The ICC board is expected to take a final decision on the issue during a teleconference on Sunday, two days after its task force on the Champions Trophy discusses the feedback it received from officials and players’ representatives in Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa.Players’ associations from these countries have insisted security concerns remain – another blast was reported near Islamabad on Thursday – and officials from the Australian Cricketers’ Association and the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association have said they would advise teams against touring. Their boards may highlight those views, if not endorse them, on Sunday, but the BCCI and the PCB, with the traditional backing of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, are expected to reiterate that the ICC’s “positive” security assessment after the Asia Cup in Karachi and Lahore during June-July leaves no room for doubt.The ICC, meanwhile, remains firm the tournament will go ahead in Pakistan, as of now, and its officials are in Karachi and Lahore this week, conducting venue inspections. “We are still fighting and are hopeful of hosting the tournament,” Naghmi told Cricinfo.All this, of course, leaves Sri Lanka in an unusual position. Duleep Mendis, Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive, told Cricinfo his country is prepared to host the tournament if needed. However, he said the tournament should go ahead in Pakistan, indicating which way the Asian countries are likely to go if the future of the Champions Trophy comes down to a vote of the ICC board – any decision requires at least a 7-3 majority.”The issue of security is subjective and what some may believe to be reality will be seen as mere perception by others,” a source said. “This is the issue that has to be resolved on Sunday, if the tournament has to go ahead.”

Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser says West Ham United star Declan Rice will not submit a transfer request despite interest from Chelsea.

Rice joined the Hammers at the age of 14, having been released by Premier League rivals Chelsea.

That proved to be an error of judgement from the Blues’ point of view as Rice has gone on to make 145 West Ham appearances and become a key player for the east Londoners.

Rice has also won 24 England caps and played a pivotal role as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the Euro 2020 final before losing to Italy on penalties.

Chelsea are keen to seal the defensive midfielder’s return to Stamford Bridge and are reportedly set to test West Ham’s resolve with an opening bid.

The 22-year-old has turned down two contract offers from the Hammers this summer, which could help Thomas Tuchel’s side to take advantage, but he will not come cheap as West Ham boss David Moyes values Rice at more than £100million.

Rosser says Moyes’ side have yet to receive an offer for Rice.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “It’s all hypothetical until a big bid comes in and there hasn’t been one yet.

“I think he feels ready to test himself at another level but that’s not to say that he’s pushing to leave West Ham.”

Pakistan have usually fared better than India in ODI finals between these traditional rivals but India are firm favourites going into Saturday’s encounter

The Preview by Siddarth Ravindran13-Jun-2008Match factsSaturday, June 14, 2008
Start time 15.00 (local), 9.00 (GMT)
Praveen Kumar has been outstanding with the new ball © AFP
The Big PictureAncient history favours Pakistan, but more modern events give India the edge going into Saturday’s encounter. Pakistan have usually fared better in ODI finals between these traditional rivals, winning five of the seven tournaments where the two sides met in the title clash – but the last of those was in 1999. India have had the upper hand in recent matches, winning five of their last seven games and with their rampaging top-order firing, have steamrollered their way to the final.A victory on Saturday would add to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s growing reputation as an ODI captain, having already tasted success at home against Pakistan and in the CB series in Australia.On the other hand, Shoaib Malik is yet to win a ODI series against significant opposition since beating Sri Lanka last May. His side’s 12-game winning streak was emphatically snapped by a 140-run defeat in the league match against India, prompting a stinging and public rebuke from PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf.While this is a battle between arch-rivals, the frequency of matches between the two sides has taken the edge off this game. As Shahid Afridi said, “some of the (magic) has gone out of the atmosphere and build-up.” A win here, though, will be the perfect tonic ahead of the Asia Cup.Form guide – India Last five matches: WWWWW (most recent first)
Player to watch: Praveen Kumar’s ability to move the new ball both ways has made him a tricky customer for batsmen to deal with. He dismissed Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting cheaply in both finals of the CB series and continued the good work in this series – running through the Pakistan top order and stifling the Bangladesh batsmen. With India’s batting in top form, another incisive spell from Praveen could prove very costly for Pakistan.Form guide – Pakistan Last five matches: LWWWW (most recent first)
Player to watch: Mohammad Yousuf has perfected the art of scoring quickly while rarely seeming flustered or hurried at the crease. An array of conventional shots has ensured the runs keep flowing with minimal risks. He’s averaging a phenomenal 81.76 in his last 21 matches, and with Younis Khan and Afridi not in the best of form, he is the lynchpin of the Pakistan middle-order.Team newsWith the team progressing smoothly to the finals, India may not tinker too much with their combination. The only change could be Ishant Sharma coming back in place of RP Singh.India: (probable) 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Rohit Sharma, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Yusuf Pathan, 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Praveen Kumar, 11 Ishant Sharma.

Mohammad Yousuf has been the lynchpin of Pakistan’s middle order © AFP
Besides Malik and Afridi, Fawad Alam is the only spinner in the squad and he might not be risked in the final as he hasn’t made much of an impact in his limited chances at the international level. Pakistan are likely persist with four fast bowlers in their XI.Pakistan: (probable) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Kamran Akmal (wk), 3 Younis Khan, 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Shoaib Malik (capt), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9, Umar Gul, 10 Wahab Riaz / Sohail Khan, 11 Iftikhar Anjum.Pitch and conditionsThe pitches used in the tournament have come in for praise from Geoff Lawson, the Pakistan coach. “The ball has not spun much but it has good bounce. It has been a terrific pitch to play on,” he said. India’s coach Gary Kirsten was also satisfied with the pitch and felt it would remain good for batting through the match, reducing the importance of the toss.Stats and trivia Gautam Gambhir averaged 25.05 in his first 20 ODIs and a splendid 50.04 in his previous 29 games. Twelve of Shoaib Malik’s 33 fifty-plus ODI scores have come against India. Younis Khan has faced only one ball in this tournament but has been dismissed twice. The last final in Bangladesh featuring Pakistan and India had a thrilling conclusion with Hrishikesh Kanitkar slamming a boundary to clinch it off the penultimate ball.Quotes”We are not concerned by emails but about how the players perform tomorrow.”
Lawson puts up a brave front.
“It’s always a great clash and we know it’s not going to be the same as it was the other night. It’s going to be a different Pakistan team out there.”
Kirsten warns his team against complacency

An update has emerged on Everton target Merih Demiral, regarding Borussia Dortmund’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund are preparing an offer for Everton transfer target Merih Demiral this summer.

He claims that the Italian giants Juventus value the defender at £30m (€35m), with Atalanta also said to be looking at him as a potential replacement for Cristian Romero.

Dream deal

Everton chief Marcel Brands must act swiftly to secure a deal for Demiral this summer following this update from Romano. With Dortmund and Atalanta potentially challenging the Toffees for his signature, acting quickly could be their best chance of being able to land him as the other two clubs are able to offer Champions League football next season.

This means that Demiral could choose the German or Italian side ahead of Rafa Benitez’s blues because he would not be able to play European football, initially, at Goodison Park.

However, if Everton rush in to complete a deal before Atalanta and Dortmund, then they may be able to snap him up before either of them are able to pounce.

They should do exactly that as he would be a dream addition to the squad. The 23-year-old is a proven performer at the top level, having played in the Serie A and the Champions League for Juventus. In the 2019/20 campaign, he averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.05 – having managed a score of 7.11 for Sassuolo the previous year. This suggests that he could arrive at Goodison Park and be good enough to excel in the Premier League, as he has shown that he can put in good performances for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Turkish-football.com founder Emre Sarigul once claimed that the enforcer “towers above” players and is adept on the ball. He said:

“The Turkish international towers above most players, is physical, strong in the air and surprisingly technical with the ball for such a big man. He is a natural leader and cool under pressure.”

In the Nations League for Turkey, Demiral averaged an excellent 3.6 aerial battles won per game at centre-back. This is more than any Everton player managed in the Premier League, with Michael Keane’s 3.2 the highest.

Demiral could be a quality, proven, addition to Rafa Benitez’s squad and Everton must work hard to land him ahead of Dortmund and Atalanta.

At the age of 23, he also has plenty of potential to improve over the next few years and would not arrive at the finished article, despite already competing at the top level, which should excite a coach like Benitez who likes to help player improve.

AND in other news, Brands could finally replace Gueye by landing “excellent” £34k-p/w beast for Everton…

Aston Villa could be set for an exciting future boost amid Christian Purslow’s recent reveal about improving Villa Park.

What’s the story?

The Express and Star’s Matt Maher delivered an insight into Villa’s plans to eventually expand the capacity at their stadium, revealing what it will be dependent on in the process.

He said: “Villa have now begun exploring long-term options to improve their home ground and eventually increase capacity.

“Chief executive Christian Purslow told a recent meeting of Villa’s fans consultation group a strategy to gradually expand Villa Park over the next decade is being developed, with the waiting list for season tickets a key indicator of demand. Any increase in capacity would be dependent on a sustained run of strong results on the pitch and likely be done in three to four stages.”And in response, former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny dropped his verdict.He said: “I’m sure the plan is to challenge for Europe. They’ve got super-rich owners and they are looking to expand the stadium so they have more money to spend in the transfer market and things like that.”I’ve played there a few times obviously and it’s an unbelievable place to play. I’m sure if they add another 9,000 or 10,000, it will be an even more amazing place to play. It just goes to show you the bigger picture in terms of where they want to go.”It’s been two seasons since they got promoted. They stayed up in the first year and did really well last year. I’m sure now they’ll be looking to push on from that and challenge for Europe over the next few years. This is unbelievable news for Villa fans.”Exciting times for VillaGiven the impressive season Villa just had in the Premier League – the Midlands club were on course for a surprise European place before a late decline in form saw them slip out of the top ten – this is definitely a club on the up.That much has been shown by the work Dean Smith’s side are doing in the transfer market this summer, with the likes of Emi Buendia and Ashley Young arriving, and bids going in for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe.That has been a real statement of ambition about where NSWE are looking to take Villa, and the next step on that ladder is ensuring that Villa Park is at its absolute best so it can match the biggest and best stadiums not just in England, but across Europe too.It’s exactly why news that Villa have begun exploring ways of improving Villa Park and expanding the stadium capacity is just another sign of the exciting times right now at the club. This is a great time to be an Aston Villa supporter.Meanwhile, Villa are now interested in this “unbelievable” star…

An exciting update has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s hunt for defensive reinforcements in this transfer window…

What’s the word?

It’s believed that the north London outfit will look to add two new centre-backs to their armoury before next season and it seems like they are closing in on their first addition in that regard.

Spurs are thought to be leading the race to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna this summer, according to The Athletic, and the player is keen on joining the Premier League outfit.

The ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london has now delivered a fresh update on their search in a recent YouTube video, in which he said: “I think Tottenham are certainly making moves to get Bologna’s Japanese centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. He’s only 22 and he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s not going to be very expensive, probably under £20m.

“From what I am told, the logic behind going for him – and this may ring a bell – [is that] he can play centre-back but he’s essentially a defensive right-back, so think Japhet Tanganga, Juan Foyth. That kind of mould.

“The logic, I understand, in going for Tomiyasu is that he will tuck in to allow [Nuno] Espirito Santo’s system to quickly flip from a back four to a back three, and allow Sergio Reguilon to bomb on like an attacking left wing-back, which we know will get the best out of him.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a done deal but from the sounds of it, it’s certainly a move that Tottenham could make happen.”

Gold then went onto confirm that Spurs are also interested in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, whilst Joachim Andersen, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Fulham last term, and Fiorentina colossus Nikola Milenkovic also remain as other targets.

Fixing a problem

This should come as hugely exciting news for the Spurs faithful as it’s evident that new sporting director Fabio Paratici has already highlighted key areas of weakness and will look to source a solution to give Nuno the best chance of success next season.

Indeed, defensive problems were the Lilywhites’ Achilles heel last term as a combination of individual mistakes and a lack of cohesion saw them finish with the worst goal concession record of any of the traditional ‘big six’.

Toby Alderweireld is entering the final stages of his top-flight career at 32, while Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier both struggled for consistency and were often culprits for those defensive errors, leading to them regularly being in and out of the starting XI.

Tangana has been more utilised as a right-back but still lacks experience, whilst Joe Rodon has rarely seen the pitch since his move from Swansea.

It’s ever so clear that Nuno desperately needs a centre-back or two, so it has to be hugely positive news to see the club linked with so many names, and even more so as it appears that they are close to sealing Tomiyasu.

The Japan international can also play at right-back, where Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty have also struggled to impress, so he effectively solves two problems in one.

That said, the club still need to add another man to that backline but, as outlined above, it’s something they are working on. Perhaps the fans around north London can start to get a little more excited for the new season now.

AND in other news, Paratici can find Spurs’ ideal Bale successor in “special” £22.5m-rated Mendes client…

MELBOURNE, Aug 8 AAP – Australia Test cricketer Mark Waugh today echoed his brother Steve’s reservations about touring Pakistan in October after the latest violence.Six Pakistanis were shot dead in an attack on a school for children of foreign missionaries near Islamabad on Monday.”Obviously what happened two days ago with the shooting at the international school puts a few more question marks over the tour,” Waugh told Melbourne radio station Sport 927 today.”There’s no doubt about that. I think the ACB (Australian Cricket Board) would be first to admit that.”Several other senior players have also expressed reservations about the tour.On Tuesday, Test captain Steve Waugh said he would be happy to go to Pakistan if it was deemed safe, but stressed the players would rely on information from other sources.”I think every one (of the players) would have some slight reservations after what’s happened in the past, it’s only natural,” Steve said.”You’ve really got to be guided by High Commissions and those places tell you what the feeling is, whether it’s safe for tourists to go there.”If it’s deemed safe enough to go, then I’m quite happy to go, but if they say it’s not then the (Australian Cricket Board) will make that decision (not to go).”New Zealand pulled out of its Pakistan tour in May after a bomb near its hotel killed 14 people in Karachi.ACB spokesman Pat O’Beirne said the latest attack “adds some currency” to advice the board is receiving from Australian Government officials and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).”The tragic recent incident has increased concern about the tour,” O’Beirne said today.”We will continue to monitor our information over the next short while.”

Liverpool have entered the race to sign striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, according to the print edition of Spanish newspaper AS (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The 21-year-old frontman scored 17 La Liga goals in 30 starts for Sociedad last season. His finest run of form came shortly after the turn of the year, when he netted nine goals in six matches, including a hat-trick against Alaves.

Isak is currently on Euro 2020 duty with Sweden, who have reached the round of 16. He has earned plaudits for his performances at the tournament, with Gary Lineker describing him as an ‘exceptional talent’.

Borussia Dortmund had a €30m (£25.8m) buyback option but, according to Marca, Sociedad reached an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit to remove that clause.

The latest

The report from AS claimed that the Premier League is ‘going crazy’ for Isak, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all in the frame for his signature.

It seems that the Reds have yet to formalise their interest, though, and Sociedad are expected to demand that a €70m (£60.2m) release clause be paid in full.

Having secured Europa League football for the second consecutive season, the San Sebastian club are not thought to be under pressure to sell.

The verdict

Isak has been a joy to watch at the Euros, showcasing a delicate touch as he manoeuvres his way through challenges at will. It’s no surprise that he’s attracting interest, and Liverpool need a number nine to succeed Robert Firmino.

However, it’s very difficult to see them shelling out more than £60m on the Swedish prospect when another exciting talent in the form of PSV’s Donyell Malen may be available for less than half that price.

In other news, read James Pearce’s update on the latest Reds rumour.