أعلن أحمد عبد الرؤوف، المدير الفني لنادي الزمالك، تشكيل الفريق الرسمي لمواجهة كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي، في المباراة التي تقام بينهما اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

ويلعب الزمالك ضد كايزر تشيفز، في الجولة الثانية من عمر مواجهات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، ذلك على ملعب الفريق الجتوب إفريقي.

ويتواجد الزمالك في المجموعة الرابعة من كأس الكونفدرالية، بجانب كل من المصري وكايزر تشيفز وزيسكو الزامبي.

وكان الزمالك قد حقق الفوز على زيسكو في لقاء الجولة الأولي الذي أقيم في القاهرة، بهدف دون رد، بينما كايزر تشيفز خسر أمام المصري 2-1.

وانطلقت الجولة الثانية من المجموعة، أمس الجمعة، استطاع النادي المصري الفوز على زيسكو بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة الزمالك في الكونفدرالية

ويقود تشكيل الزمالك، ثلاثي في الهجوم شيكو بانزا مع سيف الجزيري وخوان بيزيرا. تشكيل الزمالك اليوم أمام كايزر تشيفز في كأس الكونفدرالية

حراسة المرمى : محمد صبحي.

خط الدفاع: أحمد فتوح – محمود حمدي “الونش” – حسام عبد المجيد – عمر جابر.

خط الوسط : محمد إسماعيل – محمد شحاتة – ناصر ماهر.

خط الهجوم : شيكو بانزا – سيف الجزيري – خوان بيزيرا.

Manchester United remain unbeaten in their last five Premier League games under Ruben Amorim, but the Red Devils have been told they are no better by a former Chelsea star who has delivered a savage verdict on their resurgence. The Portuguese coach marked his one-year anniversary at Old Trafford this month, but not everyone is celebrating, as former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has poured cold water on United’s apparent revival, insisting that, despite the recent upturn in results, the ship is still not in steady waters.

• A run of promise overshadowed by doubt

  United had been enjoying a welcome burst of momentum after picking up consecutive victories over Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. The bright run of form sparked optimism that Amorim’s ideas were finally taking hold. But back-to-back 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham halted their surge and reopened old questions about consistency and mentality. 

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• Hasselbaink raises questions on United's revival

  Those doubts came roaring back when Hasselbaink, speaking on , bluntly rejected the suggestion that United are moving forward.

  "I don’t think they have improved, I’m sorry," he began. "Where, where have they improved? They have not scored more goals, they have not had less goals against, they have not won any trophies. Yes, they have been in a final in Europe but lost against a poor side – Tottenham were a poor side last year. He has got a lot of work to do, a lot of work. I don’t think they are creative enough, not like they used to be."

  It’s not as if United haven’t backed their manager. The club spent more than £200 million ($264m) last summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in an attempt to erase memories of their disastrous 2024/25 campaign. They finished 15th in the Premier League, racked up just 42 points, the lowest tally since their relegation in 1974, and a defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final killed all hopes of a European campaign in 2025/26. Amorim has amassed 21 wins, 14 draws and 19 losses in 54 matches, numbers that suit a mid-table club but not a Premier League giant with significant financial muscle. 

• Inside Old Trafford: Optimism growing

  Despite the criticism, those inside Carrington and Old Trafford insist that the mood has shifted for the better. The recruitments are now more aligned with a long-term strategy, and Amorim has earned respect for staying true to his footballing beliefs even during the club’s darkest periods. It is believed that the INEOS hierarchy is hoping to see the club back in Europe and Amorim continues to enjoy the complete backing of the owners. His interview with last week captured what many inside the club admire about him.

  "During my career as a manager, most of the time I was winning," he said. "When you are winning, you can say that you have convictions and you are loyal to your ideas, but you learn when you lose, when you are under pressure and I learned that when I’m under pressure, I’m stronger on my ideas and I keep with my ideas. Of course, it’s really important to feel the support of everyone in the club, especially the fans that help you, to give you that confidence to continue on your path, but that was the biggest learning point: when I’m under pressure, I can stick with my plan."

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  Room to improve for United

  Saturday’s match against Tottenham brought the same old sting for United supporters as they saw another lead surrendered and another chance to climb into the top four missed. Speaking to after the game, Amorim did not attempt to sugarcoat the frustration.

  "During the game we felt like the three points were there to take home," he admitted. "But then with everything that happened, Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals…we scored again and it's a point. When you cannot win you don't lose, once again we did that. We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game.

  "We need to look at ourselves, we were not pressing with the same intensity, we felt comfortable but we need to understand that if we had more bravery we kill the game. But sometimes this happens, you have a better first half than second. We believe in our capacity to score goals until the last minute. It's a little frustration, but also pride at the response of the players at the response to second goal of Tottenham. This is the tip of the iceberg, we are at the beginning of becoming a strong team, so we have a lot to do."

  United return to Premier League action at home to Everton after the international break, and after that, comes a tricky trip to Crystal Palace, where Oliver Glasner's men will push their limits.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em entrevista coletiva nesta sexta-feira (22), Danilo comentou sobre assumir o papel de capitão da seleção brasileira.

“Não posso deixar de sorrir quando você fala “capitão da seleção brasileira”, porque existem duas interpretações pra isso né!? Ou você interpreta de uma maneira superficial – Danilo, capitão da Juventus – ou paralelo onde eu me comparo com o Danilo que é lá de Bicas (MG), filho da Zezé – cabeleireira – e do Baiano – caminhoneiro, então isso não é uma coisa natural pra mim. É uma realização de um sonho” explicou o jogador.

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Fans from across the footballing world have slammed Erling Haaland after the Manchester City forward fluffed his lines from the penalty spot in a top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool at the Etihad. With the scores level at 0-0 after 13 minutes, the Norwegian goal machine had his tame effort saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili, low to the goalkeeper's left.

Haaland blows chance to open scoring

Jeremy Doku earned the penalty for City when, capitalising on a mix-up between Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley, he raced onto a ricochet and went through on goal. The tricky Belgian winger then attempted to go around the Georgian in the Liverpool net, but had his trailing foot collide with Liverpool goalkeeper's knee and fell to the floor. The Reds' players were unhappy, but could have little complaints following their own mistake. Fortunately for Mamardashvili, he had a chance to make up for his blunder.

Few would have expected Haaland, who has netted 13 times in 10 Premier League games already this season, to miss the chance to convert a golden opportunity from 12 yards, but his effort was not hit with enough venom to truly test the big shot-stopper. Compared with his record against other Premier League sides, Haaland has had a trickier time in front of goal against Liverpool and it could have felt like it was yet another disappointing day against the Reds for the goal machine.

AdvertisementFans in disbelief at Haaland miss

The fans could not believe Haaland did not open the scoring with the penalty. @boivannie posted on X, saying: "Haaland misses a penalty? Arsenal didn’t score from set pieces yesterday? Is the world ending??"

At times this season, Haaland has felt almost unstoppable, and few sides have managed to contain the forward whose goalscoring ability appears almost alien at times.

With that miss, @the_rishji said: "Finally, he is a human." Meanwhile, @Bagwell_jrr went a bit further, adding: "Haaland has lost his credibility."

@romsmister18 noticed Haaland has been struggling from the spot. "He missed 3 of the last 5. What is happening to him?"

Manchester United fan @OnlyUnitedx saw the funny side of the City man blowing the chance to score. They posted: "Vote Haaland For Miss Penalty Of The Year 2025."

The humour would only last so long though, with Haaland quick to right his earlier wrong.

Normality is resumed shortly after

Haaland would, of course, have the last laugh. City continued to press for the all-important opening goal and 16 minutes later, right-back Matheus Nunes found himself in acres of space down the Liverpool left and was able to curl a cross to the back-post. The Portuguese international found his target, with Haaland towering above Konate to head a stunning, looping header over the stricken Liverpool goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The goal marked Haaland's 31st in 31 games against the Premier League's so-called 'Big Six' and once again demonstrated why you can never write off the giant forward when he is in this kind of form.

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Getty Images SportCity take advantage of weak Liverpool

Despite their disappointing start, City would double their advantage over the Reds on the brink of half-time. Piling the pressure on the visitors with corner after corner, City took one short, working it to Nico Gonzalez, whose low effort was deflected wickedly off of Virgil van Dijk’s right leg and beyond Mamardashvili, who was left diving in the wrong direction.

With a victory, City can close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just four points. The Gunners squandered three points late on against Sunderland on Saturday and will be watching nervously over their shoulder at Pep Guardiola’s side who, with Haaland in imperious form, will be eating up ground with any dropped points.

The international break follows this round of fixtures and City’s momentum will be put on temporary hold. When Guardiola’s team return, they have a tricky trip to St. James’ Park to take on a struggling Newcastle United and will be keeping an eye on the North London Derby as the Gunners host Spurs.

West Indies overcame Pakistan’s spinners as well as the weather to power home by five wickets to level the ODI series 1-1. In a chase which ebbed and flowed, a blitz from Sherfane Rutherford and a controlled innings at the death by Roston Chase saw them home with ten balls to spare.Their task was made significantly harder than it might have been when Jayden Seales’ standout fast-bowling performance had restricted Pakistan to 171 for 7 in 37 overs. The target was slightly upwards (181 in 35 overs) of what was scored owing to multiple rain delays in the first innings.Pakistan were put in to bat first and played stodgy cricket inconsistent with the decade they were playing in. Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub found the occasional powerplay boundary but interspersed it with strings of dot deliveries; the first ten overs had just five singles taken. When Seales’ extra pace and Shai Hope’s canny field placement extracted an outside edge from Ayub in the ninth over, it was the ninth successive ball the left-hand batter had faced that had not produced a run.Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t make up for a slow start•AFP/Getty Images

Three balls later, Babar Azam was cleaned up by a Seales special that burst through the gate and made a mess of his stumps, and put West Indies firmly on top.It brought Mohammad Rizwan out, but he appeared to have left positivity behind in the dressing room – he scored just 4 off his first 23 deliveries. A shower that delayed play by 90 minutes did not help Pakistan find their rhythm. Jediah Blades took his maiden ODI wicket by drawing an edge from Shafique that ended his battle of an innings the over after play resumed.As run-scoring increasingly became a struggle, West Indies’ bowlers – spinners and seamers alike – kept making inroads. Gudakesh Motie trapped the Pakistan captain in front. Chase got a ball to keep low and produce an under edge off Hussain Talat’s bat to conclude his comparatively brighter innings. Salman Agha struggled to see any scoring area beside the little dab to deep third, and when Shamar Joseph surprised him with the straighter bouncer, a top edge sent him packing.Multiple rain breaks curtailed Pakistan’s innings•AFP/Getty Images

A further rain delay truncated the game to Pakistan’s benefit with the innings winding down, allowing Hasan Nawaz to go for broke in what became seven death overs. Cruelly for Pakistan, though, that stubborn cloud unloaded its contents upon the Brian Lara Stadium once more just as he had begun to get going. That little passage of play saw 32 scored in 3.1 overs, but Pakistan were denied a big finish with their final three overs wiped out.West Indies were set an entirely manageable target, though Hasan Ali’s opening salvo soon cast that expectation into jeopardy. Wickets in each of his first two overs sent the openers back, and the hosts found themselves stuck in the same mire that had dogged Pakistan. Rizwan, sensing an opportunity to strangle, brought the spinners on after six overs, with Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed producing the desired results.The scoring rate briefly slowed to a trickle, particularly as far as Keacy Carty was concerned. His first 26 balls produced just three singles, piling the pressure on his captain at the other end. An intriguing plot point concerned Pakistan’s fifth bowling option; the one over Ayub had bowled leaked 10, and another from Salman shed another 11.Sherfane Rutherford took Shaheen Afridi down in the 17th over•AFP/Getty Images

With a newly arrived Rutherford at the crease and the asking rate over six, Rizwan made the fateful decision of turning to Shaheen Afridi, and the batter picked his moment. Two fours and a six saw him plunder 17 that over, and with Rizwan turning immediately to the part-timer Salman, another 20 were lopped off the target.It bought West Indies the cushion to see off the primary spinners Abrar and Mohammad Nawaz more respectfully, but the pair wasn’t content with containment. Nawaz found extra turn to have Hope stumped before, in what felt like a game-turning moment, he induced Rutherford into a smear that found square leg. It was part of an eight-over period that saw just 17 scored, but just as significantly, Pakistan had bowled out Nawaz.Chase slapped a couple of sixes the following Ayub over to wrench the asking rate below six once more, and it was there that it would stay for the rest of the game.The returning fast bowlers never packed the same threat, and West Indies began to milk them in addition to finding the odd boundary that took the game further out of the visitors’ reach. Justin Greaves had looked uncertain against the turn, but was impressively assured now, a wristy flick over mid-on for six off Hasan perhaps the shot of the innings. By now, the equation was purely mathematical, With Chase’s crisp drive through the off side sealing a topsy-turvy win on a day that promised each outcome at certain points, before settling on the one the Trinidad crowd had come to witness.

Liverpool are now reportedly exploring a deal to sign Jarrod Bowen after West Ham United shared what it would take for them to sell their star man in 2026.

Those at Anfield have set their sights on another attacking addition with their summer spending yet to come good. Club-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in all competitions and has largely faced fitness issues during his time at Anfield so far. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz – although gradually improving – is yet to find the back of the net.

Related After Isak: Liverpool's "next Michael Owen" is destined to be the club's #9

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Suddenly, after a major spending spree, the Reds have looked out of ideas going forward at times. On paper, an attacking blend of Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitie and Cody Gakpo should result in endless goals. In reality, however, it’s a combination which simply hasn’t worked so far.

Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville didn’t hold back after Liverpool’s recent 3-0 defeat against Manchester City either, claiming that Wirtz is a “problem” for Arne Slot.

The November international break has handed the Premier League champions some much-needed reprieve and it’s a break that must see Slot come up with a solution for his side’s problems.

As much as Neville has criticised Wirtz, the truth is that the German hasn’t been Liverpool’s greatest problem in recent weeks. No player in the Premier League has created more chances than the former Bayer Leverkusen man in all competitions, yet the numbers show that he’s got just one assist to his name. For the most part in recent weeks, he’s played his part.

Instead, the big problem lies with those ahead of him who have been wasteful. It’s sparked concerns that Salah could be past his best and those at Anfield are already reportedly eyeing his replacement as a result.

Liverpool exploring Jarrod Bowen move

As reported by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool are now exploring a move to sign Bowen ahead of 2026. Whilst West Ham are expected to turn down any advances at this stage, they would reportedly consider selling their captain if an interested party submitted an ‘irresistible’ offer.

Liverpool proved that they’re not afraid to splash the cash in the summer just gone, so the Hammers’ stance should give them a glimmer of hope that they could yet sign Bowen, who shares an agent with Andy Robertson.

As for the forward, himself, if anyone deserves a big move it is him. Bowen has dragged West Ham to European glory, kept them in the Premier League and become an undisputed legend at the London Stadium. Now, if Liverpool come calling, he should grab hold of the opportunity with both hands.

The 28-year-old has already experienced what it’s like to score at Anfield with West Ham, but could yet get the chance to celebrate in front of The Kop week in, week out in 2026.

Jurgen Klopp called Bowen his “favourite player” in 2023 and could watch from afar as the West Ham man completes a move to Merseyside three years later.

Liverpool and Arsenal scouting new right-back who pocketed Gakpo

Having played just four T20s before Monday, the left-arm seamer became the first Indian to take a four-for on IPL debut

Vishal Dikshit31-Mar-20251:36

Aaron: ‘Skiddy’ Ashwani quicker than batters expected

Ashwani Kumar hails from Jhanjeri, a village in the Mohali district of Punjab. He belongs to a humble family that couldn’t afford to pay for his cricket. He still found ways to get around Punjab to play the game and did well enough to earn a first-class debut at the age of 18. But then a hamstring injury took him off the field.Two seasons later, he returned to the Punjab side but got just one game in the Ranji Trophy and one in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. And then another three white-ball games in the 2022-23 season. He was too “raw” then, not very fit, and Punjab had enough pace options in the side at the time.Ashwani then joined the Launching Pad Cricket Academy in Chandigarh in 2023. Soon after that, he got picked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the 2024-25 season as a back-up in the pace attack led by Arshdeep Singh. But, even before he could get a game, came the IPL mega auction. In 2024, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had already spotted something in Ashwani to bring him on board as a net bowler, and PBKS even pulled some strings to ensure he went to their camp and not CSK’s.Related

• Calm Ashwani fills the gaps in MI's Bumrah-centric bowling plans

• Ramandeep: 'Being picked by KKR has changed everything for me'

• Rickelton: 'The pressure internally is big but externally is huge' at the IPL

• Rookies Ashwani and Rickelton lead MI to first win

• Best figures on IPL debut: Ashwani the first Indian with a four-for

Before the auction ahead of IPL 2025, Ashwani appeared for trials at both CSK and Mumbai Indians (MI), and the MI scouts are believed to have been impressed by what they saw: his ability to rush batters despite not being express and the ability to swing the new ball as well as pound it into the pitch, as well as other variations. MI’s scouts – whom captain Hardik Pandya credited after Monday’s win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – were on the prowl before the auction and made sure the MI management picked two domestic unknowns for INR 30 lakh each to bolster the pace unit – Satyanarayana Raju and Ashwani, who had played only five domestic games at the time.Before IPL 2025 started, Ashwani went back to the academy in Chandigarh to spend time with his coach Varinder Singh and specifically worked on his fitness, his non-bowling arm, and his strength and conditioning. The Ashwani that showed up in the MI camp a couple of months later had a stronger action and a more athletic body.One of the first things Ashwani’s Punjab coach Wasim Jaffer and team-mate Ramandeep Singh – who was his opponent on Monday night – mentioned was his work ethic. “He works tirelessly in the nets, he’s very sincere and he wants to keep improving,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo. “He has a lot of things – he can hit 140kph, he has a bouncer, a yorker, a slower ball. I’m so happy he went to the right franchise.”Ashwani Kumar celebrates after having Rinku Singh hole out•Associated PressWhen IPL 2025 started, MI had to deal with Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and two losses in their first two games. Being the only team without any points before Monday’s game, MI could have played it safe by retaining Raju in the XI – he at least has some IPL experience to show. But they took a punt by leaving Raju out and named a fourth IPL Indian debutant in three games, after Raju, Vignesh Puthur and Robin Minz.Playing at home, where conditions are better for their bowling attack, Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar finally struck in tandem. But even though Chahar got the big wicket of Quinton de Kock in his first over, Hardik replaced him with Ashwani for the fourth over. Ashwani had known earlier in the day about his imminent IPL debut, and he was so nervous he could barely have lunch. When Hardik gave Ashwani the ball, he asked him to “enjoy yourself”. And that Ashwani did by striking with his first ball in the IPL in front of thousands of home fans and went on to become the first Indian to bag a four-for in his maiden IPL appearance.That he got Ajinkya Rahane and Rinku Singh as his first two wickets wasn’t even the best part of his day at work. Three balls after he had sent Rinku back, in the 11th over, Ashwani sent one down with a slightly scrambled seam at just short of 137kph. But the way the ball curved from outside leg to hit the top of leg stump, making Manish Pandey look late on the shot, showed that the 23-year-old had a trick or two up his sleeve.”He’s a lot quicker than people recognise at first,” Ryan Rickelton said of Ashwani. “I think that’s a great attribute to have. He can swing the new ball. I know it’s obviously quite tough – we’ve got two specialist bowlers with the new ball as well – but to have a second plan for that swing factor was really impressive. He’s a lot quicker than you think and he rushes you a little bit as well.”Ashwani Kumar is mobbed by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya after his first-ball strike•Associated PressAnd then Ashwani did it again in his next over. Against the might and muscle of Andre Russell, Ashwani bowled one at 140.7kph – another scrambled-seam delivery that took the top of middle stump, and the Wankhede was in raptures because the crowd knew that with KKR 88 for 8, the game was almost done.”[When] we played a practice game, [we saw] he had that zip, he had that little late swing, something off the wicket, and had a different action and plus, he was a lefty,” Hardik said of Ashwani’s arsenal at the presentation. “This wicket offered a little more and we thought that Ashwani can come and bowl the way he bowls, and I’m really, really happy for him.”Ashwani could hardly believe that he was taking home the Player-of-the-Match award. “This is a very big thing for me that I got an opportunity like this,” he said. “I didn’t think I would be the Man of the Match in my first match. I just wanted to follow my process and do my bit, that’s it, but it turned out very well. I was completely confident [about performing in front of a big crowd] but still I was a little nervous before the match. It was just a little bit of ‘what will happen’.”The MI management “backed him” like they backed Puthur and Raju, and even Hardik all those years ago. You never know what turn life takes – to fast-track an unknown from a small town to Mumbai and make thousands of fans scream your name in a packed stadium, whether you are Puthur, Raju or Ashwani. He has shown the potential and has the support of one of the most successful franchises in T20 cricket, but as Ramandeep said after the game, “he has a long way to go.”

Bosch, de Klerk, Shangase and Dercksen are also first-timers for an ODI World Cup

Firdose Moonda03-Sep-2025

Karabo Meso, the 17-year-old wicket-keeper batter, will go to her first World Cup after being included in South Africa’s squad for the ODI tournament in India and Sri Lanka which starts later this month.She has just two ODI caps to her name and has played seven senior internationals in all, but has featured in two Under-19 World Cups and won the SA20 Schools title with Steyn City earlier this year. Meso is one of two players who will play at a World Cup for the first time. Offspin-bowling allrounder Nondumiso Shangase, who was recalled to South Africa’s squad in May, is the other.Top-order batter Anneke Bosch and allrounders Nadine de Klerk and Annerie Dercksen will also feature in an ODI World Cup squad for the first time; they have previously been in T20 World Cup squads.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The rest of South Africa’s 15-player group is as expected, led by Laura Wolvaardt with significant experience in different departments. Allrounders Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon and seamer Ayabonga Khaka all played important roles in South Africa reaching the last ODI World Cup semi-finals and will be present again.As reported last week, there was no room for former captain Dane van Niekerk, who was included in a training camp but her international comeback remains a while away.Others present in that camp but not making the squad are batters Lara Goodall and Faye Tunnicliffe, seamer Ayanda Hlubi, legspinner Seshnie Naidu and allrounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Luyanda Ntuza. Miane Smit, an allrounder who bowls offspin, has been included as the lone travelling reserve.”The make-up of the squad is underpinned by the consistent selection process that was adhered to during the recent ICC Women’s Championship cycle, while taking into account the subcontinent conditions and the different characteristics of the group required for a successful tournament of this nature,” Clinton du Preez, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, said.Under head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, SA have lost four ODIs in 10 outings•Cricket South Africa

This will be the first major tournament South Africa will play under head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who succeeded Hilton Moreeng in a permanent capacity last year. In Mashimbyi’s tenure, South Africa have been inconsistent, with four wins in ten ODIs, including a series win over West Indies in June. Mashimbyi was occasionally without some senior players – such as Kapp for the tri-series in Sri Lanka – but will have one more opportunity to fine-tune his combinations before the tournament starts.South Africa tour Pakistan for three ODIs to be played between September 16 and 22 before moving on to India for their World Cup opener against England. Their recent tournament run has included two ODI World Cup semi-finals and back-to-back T20 World Cup finals, and there is expectation for them to take the next step and claim a cup. Mashimbyi is confident this group of players can deliver.”From the moment I joined this team, and even before my time when the squad went through the qualification phase, it was all about working towards this moment,” Mashimbyi said. “We can look back at the amount of preparation we have put in and know that we have done our best. We are ready to send a squad to the World Cup that will make South Africa proud.”We believe we have the squad of players that can go out there and deliver on the world stage. Now it is all about carrying that belief with us every step of the way, along with the support of the entire nation.”South Africa squad for Women’s ODI World CupLaura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon
Travelling reserve: Miane Smit

Sellout crowd disappointed as heavy and persistent rain prevents any action at Malahide

Matt Roller19-Sep-2025Persistent rain wiped the second of three T20Is between Ireland and England out before a ball was bowled. Heavy overnight rain in the Dublin area left patches of the outfield totally sodden at Malahide Cricket Club, and a planned 1.30pm inspection was pushed back indefinitely until umpires Aidan Seaver and Jonathan Kennedy eventually called the game off at 3.47pm.It made for an anticlimactic afternoon, not least with a “sold out” sign plastered onto the ticket booth and a crowd of more than 4,000 expected. After three washouts against West Indies, Ireland have now lost four out of their eight home men’s internationals this summer to the weather; the only consolation is that the forecast for Sunday’s match is more promising.Brian MacNeice, Cricket Ireland’s chair, said that their insurance policy mitigated the financial impact of the abandonment. “We have a policy that covers it,” MacNeice said. “There’s no financial impact to us, other than potentially a slightly more expensive insurance policy next year.”A member of the groundstaff tries to dry the outfield•Sportsfile via Getty Images

The wash-out was particularly frustrating for Ireland as this series was initially pencilled in for June, only to be shifted back to September at the ECB’s request. “Even in the middle of the summer, you can’t predict that you’re going to get perfect weather,” MacNeice said. “We didn’t have a problem having the games here at this time.”England had planned to rotate their side for the second T20I, with Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox both in line to feature before the weather intervened. They may win opportunities on Sunday, but one man who will not is the uncapped Scott Currie, who has been released from the squad to play for Hampshire in Saturday’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup final at Trent Bridge.Wednesday’s series opener saw England take a 1-0 lead over Ireland, chasing 197 with 14 balls to spare thanks to Phil Salt’s innings of 89. It meant a winning start to Jacob Bethell’s short tenure as stand-in captain, deputising for the rested Harry Brook.