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David Warner, Steven Smith, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are some of the other players retained by their IPL franchises

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Jan-20184:20

Dasgupta: Surprised KKR didn’t retain Gambhir

Virat Kohli is the only player to be retained by an IPL franchise for an amount greater than that set by the IPL (INR 15 crore) for the first player retained: Kohli will be paid INR 17 crore (US $2.67 million) by Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2018 season. RCB batsman Sarfaraz Khan was the only uncapped player to be retained at the player-retention event in Mumbai on January 4.The following players were retained by the teams. The figures next to the names are the amounts they will be paid by the teams.Chennai Super Kings
Players retained: MS Dhoni (INR 15 crore/US $2.36m), Suresh Raina (INR 11 crore/US $1.73m), Ravindra Jadeja (INR 7 crore/US $1.1m)Deduction from salary cap: INR 33 crore (US $5.2m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 47 crore (US $7.4m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2Mumbai Indians
Players retained: Rohit Sharma (INR 15 crore), Hardik Pandya (INR 11 crore), Jasprit Bumrah (INR 7 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 33 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 47 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 2Royal Challengers Bangalore
Players retained: Virat Kohli (INR 17 crore), AB de Villiers (INR 11 crore), Sarfaraz Khan (INR 1.75 crore/US $268,000)Deduction from salary cap: INR 31 crore (US $4.8m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 49 crore (US $7.7m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 2Kolkata Knight Riders
Players retained: Sunil Narine (INR 8.5 crore/US $1.3m), Andre Russell (INR 7 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 21 crore (US $3.3m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 59 crore (US $9.2m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3Delhi Daredevils
Players retained: Rishabh Pant (INR 8 crore/Us $1.26m), Chris Morris (INR 7.1 crore), Shreyas Iyer (INR 7 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 33 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 47 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 2Kings XI Punjab
Players retained: Axar Patel (INR 6.75 crore/US $1.05m)Deduction from salary cap: INR 12.5 crore (US $1.97m)Salary cap remaining for player auction: INR 67.5 crore (US $10.6m)Right-to-match cards left at auction: 3Sunrisers Hyderabad
Players retained: David Warner (INR 12 crore/US $1.89m), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (INR 8.5 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 21 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 59 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 3Rajasthan Royals
Players retained: Steven Smith (INR 12 crore)Deduction from salary cap: INR 12.5 croreSalary cap remaining for player auction: INR 67.5 croreRight-to-match cards left at auction: 3The player retention is the first step towards the franchises reforming their squads ahead of the 2018 IPL player auction. After the 2017 IPL, the tenth year of the tournament, the existing squads were disbanded, apart from the players retained by the teams.The IPL set the salary cap to form a squad for 2018 at INR 80 crore (approx $12.4 million). A franchise is allowed to pick up to five of their existing players through a combination of retention ahead of the auction and the right-to-match card during the auction.A team could retain up to three players ahead of the auction, and they can use a maximum of three right-to-match cards during the auction.Franchises that retained the maximum of three players before the auction have lost from their salary cap INR 15 crore for the first player, INR 11 crore for the second, and INR 7 crore for the third. The exception here was RCB, who lost INR 17 crore on Kohli – the rules say the franchises lose the pre-defined amount or the actual amount paid to the player, whichever is more. So where franchises negotiated with the player to pay an amount lower that what was pre-defined, it was the amount specified by the IPL that was deducted from the salary cap.Franchises that retained only two players lost INR 12.5 crore from their salary cap for the first player retained, and INR 8.5 crore for the second. Where only one player was retained, the franchises lost INR 12.5 crore from the salary cap.The IPL also imposed a salary cap of INR 3 crore for uncapped players retained.Each franchise was allowed to retain a maximum of three capped India players, two overseas players and two uncapped Indian players.

The inaugural season of Cricket South Africa’s T20 Global League, which was scheduled to begin on November 3, has been postponed to November 2018 instead.The franchises understood that the delay in securing a stable television broadcast deal and central rights sponsorship for the tournament were the main reasons for postponing the GLT20, the brainchild of former CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat who had parted ways with the board last month.

SACA expresses “concern and disappointment”

The South African Cricketers Association has called for an “independent review” into what has caused the postponement of the T20 Global League.
“This has a very significant impact on a large number of local and overseas players, all of whom have signed contracts to play in the league,” Tony Irish, chief executive of SACA, said. “Some players turned down other opportunities in order to commit themselves to these contracts. We will be looking at all implications of this for players, including what compensation should be paid to them.”
“SACA is well aware of the fact that this will also affect various other groups including franchises, coaches and stadium owners. I think it will be necessary for CSA to appoint its own independent review into what has actually transpired here as there are significant implications across South African cricket.”

ESPNcricinfo learned that CSA had informed all the eight franchises of the decision over the past few days. “We have not come to this decision lightly,” CSA’s acting CEO Thabang Moroe said. “Having discussed it with all our stakeholders including the franchise owners, we believe that the interest of the league should be our first priority. We have re-assessed our strategy and believe that postponing the first edition of the T20 Global League to next year will serve us well. We will regroup and come back stronger and better.”With less than a month to go before kickoff, the event faced numerous logistical challenges, not least the inability to secure a broadcast deal or a title sponsor, resulting in hefty financial losses. Though local broadcaster SuperSport is understood to have been close to putting pen to paper, the deal was going to be worth much less than CSA anticipated.Last week, Moroe told reporters that CSA was bracing for a $25 million loss on the first edition of the tournament, which amounted to half of the organisation’s cash reserves. He also provided an assurance that the tournament would go ahead as planned.Moroe had taken over from Lorgat, who parted ways with CSA on September 28, after his relationship with the board became untenable. The board’s unhappiness with Lorgat’s methods of organisation of the T20 Global League was one of the reasons for his departure, but one of the GLT20 franchise owners told ESPNcricinfo that Lorgat’s absence had created “much bigger challenges” in putting the tournament together, because he was its driving force.”When you know that something is not right then you should not do it,” the owner said. “We are half-prepared and it will be a bigger disaster if we go this way.”There was no indication that any of the current owners, seven of whom are from overseas, would withdraw from the event. Moroe met with the franchise owners on at least one occasion and was confident they remained committed to putting the tournament together. However, the time-frame was too short to put together an event of the quality CSA and the owners wanted.The postponement of the GLT20 leaves an enormous gap in the South African cricket calendar. For six weeks in peak summer, neither the national team nor the domestic franchises will be in action because CSA had created space for the event. Zimbabwe are due to visit South Africa over Boxing Day for a four-day, day-night match that is awaiting Test status, which means that after Bangladesh’s tour ends on October 29, South Africans will not see any live home cricket until December 26, unless a contingency plan is made.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Joachim Andersen from Crystal Palace this summer and have now received a boost in their pursuit, if reports are to believed.

What's the latest on Joachim Andersen to Newcastle?

That's according to FootballTransfers, who claim that the Eagles might be willing to reduce their initial £40m asking price for the Danish defender with the south London club in pursuit of reinforcements themselves.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that United have been in constant discussion with the 27-year-old's agents and have made it be known that he is a player they have appreciated for a long time.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

FootballTransfers also reported Newcastle's initial interest back in June, and technical director Dan Ashworth now needs to decide whether a deal is feasible given the club's outlay already this summer.

How good is Joachim Andersen?

The 2023/24 Premier League campaign is but a whisker away, with the 20 teams at contrasting stages of their summer transfer business.

Eddie Howe will be one of the more satisfied bosses, having bolstered the first-team ranks with Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento after finishing fourth last season and qualifying for the Champions League.

St. James' Park is headed for further success this season, subjectively of course, and while Howe's transfer appetite is largely sated, there is room for a ball-playing centre-half such as Andersen, who could replace Fabian Schar.

Schar was pivotal to the Magpies' impressive season and started 36 matches in the English top-flight, earning an average Sofascore rating of 7.13, completing 78% of his passes, averaging a key pass every two matches, keeping 12 clean sheets, making 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 3.8 clearances per game and succeeding with 65% of his total duels.

He was hailed for being "important at both ends" by analyst Statman Dave and this is evidenced through his FBref statistics, where the Swiss ranks among the top 5% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for total shots taken and the top 10% for aerials won per 90.

However, the £40k-per-week titan is out of contract at the end of the season and at 31 years of age, Newcastle might feel that it is time to sign a replacement.

Andersen could be the "leader" – as he was described by his former coach Svend Graversen – to bolster the squad as they look to cement their newfound stature among Europe's elite, with full belief in the transfer of his skills to Tyneside.

The Eagles colossus recorded an average rating of 6.96 last term, completing 80% of his passes, averaging 0.4 key passes per game, making 1.3 tackles and a whopping 5.8 clearances per match and winning 64% of his total duels.

Meanwhile, the 22-cap international also ranks among the top 16% of positional peers for total shots, the top 2% for clearances and the top 17% for aerials won per 90.

By joining the fold at Newcastle, Andersen's performances would only improve and if Ashworth can indeed strike an astute deal for the £80k-per-week gem, Schar's possible departure could leave not so much as a bent in the St. James' Park armour.

1:14

County Championship round-up: Yorkshire crumble against Essex

Nothing if not courteous, Lancashire’s batsmen left it to each other to score runs on the first day of this game; nothing, if not careless, most of the recipients turned down their invitations.Ryan McLaren’s team thus surrendered the opportunity afforded them by winning the toss and having first use of a sanded pitch. Hampshire’s bowlers, whether seam, swing or spin, seized their own opportunities gleefully and Lancashire’s total of 149 looked insufficient well before James Vince made 40 off 46 balls in the evening sunlight.But if Vince’s cover drives and glides are pleasing on the eye, his batting does not always suggest permanence and Hampshire’s No 4 perished an hour before the close when he skied a pull off Kyle Jarvis to Stephen Parry at midwicket. Indeed, Vince was one of five batsmen removed by Lancashire’s bowlers in a long evening session at the end of which the home side’s deficit was only two runs.Everyone was left to reflect on a day in which a total of eight top-five batsmen had reached double figures but only two had made more than 30, none passing 50. A rather short game is thus in prospect and perhaps a close one but hardly a contest which suggests that four-day batting is flourishing at present.Such an assessment probably takes insufficient account of a Rose Bowl pitch which is already offering bounce and turn and it certainly pays miserly credit to the bowlers on each side.Yet perhaps the batsmen’s problems are also a consequence of the fact that they have played no first-class cricket over the past month. Some have played only T20 and Liam Livingstone’s heave across the line to Kyle Abbott just after lunch certainly seemed more like one of the desperate remedies required by the short form.But Livingstone was by no means the only occupant of Glen Chapple’s crowded naughty step; Dane Vilas’s wild cut to a ball from Ian Holland and Jos Buttler’s loose push to a delivery from Fidel Edwards which snaked through the gate were also out of keeping with the requirements of the day. Indeed they were lowlights of a long period either side of lunch in which Lancashire lost all their wickets for 110 runs.But the impact of T20’s placement in the current schedule is wider than that; it should be noted that 53 wickets fell on the opening day of the three current Division One games. Helpful pitches and fine bowling may explain some of them but the impact of spending a month manufacturing weird but effective shots to good balls may also have a part to play. Perhaps the proper role for the glorious entertainment that T20 often has yet to be found.Haseeb Hameed found no release from an unproductive season•Getty Images

For some the problem is of a rather different nature. Deprived of long-form first-class cricket and deemed surplus to requirements in the T20 stuff, some Lancashire and Hampshire batsmen have played second team or Premier League cricket; others may even have been reduced to asking their dads to bowl at them in the back garden but since this is how Haseeb Hameed learned the lessons that helped make him a Test batsman in the first place, perhaps no one should complain. It is rarely wise to mess with Boltonian legends.It was noticeable, however, that the most tranquil and productive period in Lancashire’s innings was the first hour of the morning when Hameed and Alex Davies, neither of whom have played T20, were adding 39 runs in 14.2 overs. That partnership ended when Hameed, having scored 6 off 39 balls, drove at a wide outswinger from Edwards and gave a waist-high catch to Jimmy Adams at second slip. The England opener has yet to rediscover the blissful rhythms of Rajkot and Mohali. The selectors will have to carry on watching him hopefully for a while yet.The similarly redoubtable Davies went on to make 36 before he was beaten by a fine ball from Liam Dawson and edged a catch to Sean Ervine at slip. The remainder of Lancashire’s innings suggested little but impermanence. Shiv Chanderpaul, the one batsman for whom adhesion is an article of faith, was run out by Buttler when called for a sharp single to Mason Crane at backward point.Lancashire then lost their last five wickets in 11 overs and their last three in eight balls. By mid-afternoon skipper Steven Croft may have been regretting his decision to drop himself for this game.Crane took three of the last five wickets but just as valuable to Hampshire’s effort was Dawson, who bowled 17 accurate, probing overs either side of lunch at a cost of only 42 runs. He, as much as Abbott, Edwards or Gareth Berg, deserved the applause of the home supporters in the Rod Bransgrove pavilion.Hampshire delight was quelled a little by the loss of both Jimmy Adams and Lewis McManus to Lancashire’s new ball bowlers inside the first nine overs of the home side’s innings. But Vince revived their spirits and Dawson – not needed by England but invaluable to his county – was still there to steady the ship after George Bailey had been caught at slip off Matt Parkinson for 22. It is advantage Hampshire but not by much.

Liverpool could replace the presence of Fabinho this window with a swoop for Borussia Monchengladbach ace Manu Kone, a player that the Reds have been linked to throughout the summer.

Jurgen Klopp could see two midfield enforcers depart ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with both the Brazilian and Jordan Henderson linked with lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia.

Could Liverpool sign Manu Kone?

Named as a potential summer target for Liverpool back in January by Fabrizio Romano, Kone could still be on course to head towards Merseyside.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT this week, BILD journalist Chrisitan Falk declared that the midfielder is “on the list” of those wanted by sporting director Jorg Scmadtke.

Valued by his club around the €40m (£34m) mark, the Frenchman could be a valuable asset to Klopp’s squad should the speculated sales be made this summer.

How good is Manu Kone?

Described as a “one-man army” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his performance against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich earlier this year, the 22-year-old could signify a rejuvenated revamp in midfield at Anfield.

While Fabinho’s presence has been integral to Liverpool’s progression over the past year, the Premier League and Champions League winner is expected to call it quits on Merseyside after five memorable years.

Kone could be the one to fill the gap left by the 29-year-old’s pending departure to Al Ittihad, with the two demonstrating similar strengths in their approach to play.

When comparing the two via FBref comparisons based on their respective 2022/23 campaigns, it’s evident just how efficient the switch in player could be, with Fabinho indicating a slight dip in form to years prior.

A combative midfielder, Kone surpassed the rate of tackles per 90 recorded by the Brazilian, averaging 2.55 to the 29-year-old’s 2.19, highlighting his militant presence in the engine room.

An area of the Frenchman’s game that could be pivotal to adding a rejuvenated outlet in the middle of the park is his approach to progressive play in comparison to Fabinho.

The 22-year-old averaged an impressive 2.04 progressive carries and 1.97 successful take-ons to the Liverpool machine’s 0.51 progressive carries and 0.24 successful take-ons per 90, displaying his dominance in transitional possession.

Hailed as having “sublime distribution” by journalist Maxi Angelo, Fabinho will be a missed presence in the middle of the park for his eye for an intricate pass, however, the departure of the Campinas-born gem could be eased by Kone’s arrival.

As per FBref, the Borussia talent averaged 5.73 progressive passes to Fabinho’s 5.49 last season, including 4.80 passes into the final third to his 4.41 per 90 to show just how much of a talent Klopp could install into his squad.

With a fee of £40m reported to be in question for Fabinho, the Reds could reinstate the funds spent on signing the midfielder from Monaco back in 2018 for £43.7m, getting the best out of the player during his time at Anfield.

The funds raised could open the door for Liverpool to make a potential snipe for Kone, in a deal that may prove to be a stellar piece of business by the six-time European champions.

Romelu Lukaku's stay at Chelsea could be about to get prolonged, with The Sun reporting that should no team offer to sign the player permanently, he may be kept on at Stamford Bridge.

What is the latest on a Romelu Lukaku transfer?

Having spent last season out of the Blues' squad and on loan with Inter Milan, it hasn't looked like there would be a place for him in the side upon his return this summer. There has already been plenty of rumours and murmurings surrounding his future and potential deals this transfer window, although nothing has concretely materialized as of yet.

It's become clear that the striker himself wants to leave Stamford Bridge if he can during the close season, with the player not seemingly prepared to even attempt to play some minutes under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

It appears he is set on an exit and there are clubs keen to do business. Juventus have been mooted as a potential landing spot for the Belgian, with Chelsea keen to land Dusan Vlahovic and seeing Lukaku as ideal to use in a swap deal. Inter are also eager to bring him back to Serie A and have lined up loan moves for the 30-year-old again.

Are Chelsea selling Romelu Lukaku?

However, according to The Sun, a short-term move might not be good enough. They report that Premier League side Chelsea are unprepared to let Lukaku leave on a loan deal again and only want to shift him out of the club on a permanent basis this summer

It means that Inter would need to stump up the cash to make a long-term move happen – cash that they likely do not have. The alternative is that the Belgium international stays with the Blues, with the club's hierarchy unwilling to compromise over their stance on a loan move for the striker.

If Inter did bring Lukaku back to the club – and decided to stump up the cash to do so – then they would undoubtedly be getting a player that could help them climb the table in Serie A.

Football journalist Josh Bunting stated that the attacker is a "dream of a striker" to have in Italy and added that he "works perfectly" despite his struggles in London.

He is clearly an asset in the top tier of Italian football then, as Inter will already know, but it appears that they may have to be willing to pay big if they want to see him back at San Siro next season.

Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan have been questioned by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged attempts to corrupt the Pakistan Super League. Unlike Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, however, these players have not been provisionally suspended and are free to continue playing the tournament.PSL chairman Najam Sethi revealed the three new names on his Twitter handle, while stressing the league would continue to remain vigilant against the “menace of corruption”.In his tweet about Irfan, Sethi said: “Inquiry will continue. He does not face any immediate suspension.” About Zulfiqar and Shahzaib, Sethi said: “They will continue to play.”Sethi later tried to draw a line under the issue, adding on Twitter: “No more player suspensions are envisaged during PSL PROVIDED there is no NEW cause for action. Failure to promptly report any attempt to corrupt and subvert PSL will be cause for action.”Like Sharjeel and Latif, fast bowler Irfan, 34, also plays for the defending champions Islamabad United in the PSL, while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar, 38, represents Quetta Gladiators and Shahzaib, 27, plays for Karachi Kings.Shahzaib’s questioning, according to his team Karachi Kings, was the result of his reporting an approach to the PCB.Sethi had informed Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi of the developments concerning Sharjeel and Latif before their game on Friday. At that point the Kings owner, Salman Iqbal, sought permission from the organisers to address his team.”I took permission from PCB to allow me to brief my players and I reminded them to be aware about these things,” Iqbal told ESPNcricinfo. “I insisted to all my players to report anything you feel odd around you or if anyone approaches you for wrongdoing. Then later I came to know that Shahzaib had reported an approach to the PCB and he was investigated about everything he knows. He has been cleared and will play the tournament.”It is understood that after Zulfiqar’s name came up in speculation surrounding the developments, Quetta Gladiators volunteered him for questioning in a bid to clear his name.Irfan, Zulfiqar and Shahzaib are all experienced domestic cricketers and have represented Pakistan. Irfan has played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 20 T20Is for his country, Zulfiqar 15 Tests, five ODIs and seven T20Is, while Shahzaib has played three ODIs and ten T20Is.The news of alleged attempts to corrupt the PSL broke on Friday, when the PCB announced that it had provisionally suspended Sharjeel and Latif and asked them to return home.

Nottingham Forest have reignited a target from the January window, if reports are to be believed as we head into the madness of the summer transfer period.

Steve Cooper will hope to strengthen his side during the break ahead of another busy Premier League season, in the hope to push on from near survivors to an established club in the top-division once more.

The latest talent linked with a move to the City Ground is a familiar face to England, and one that could form a strong partnership in the Welshman’s plans.

What’s the latest on Romain Saiss to Nottingham Forest?

As reported by Turkish outlet Sabah Spor this week, Forest are interested in Besiktas defender Romain Saiss.

The report claims that the Premier League outfit are getting closer to reaching the club’s €4m (£3.4m) price tag of the centre-back, with the Moroccan having his ‘mind set’ on a return to England.

Forest were in contact with the Turkish side in January over the availability of the 33-year-old, according to reports.

What could Romain Saiss offer to Nottingham Forest?

Having been lauded as “incredible” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers commander could bring talent as well as a host of experience to Forest’s back line.

The 33-year-old titan made 206 total appearances for Wolves, gaining a heap of Premier League experience and impressing during his stay in England.

Last season, the Morocco star was monstrous at Molineux before making the move to the Super Lig where the colossus has continued to show his worth in central defence.

Despite finding his form towards the end of the season in Istanbul, the Morocco captain is reportedly eyeing a move back to the comforts of the Premier League, where he could prove to be a powerful introduction at the City Ground.

Predominantly lining his central defenders in a back three, Cooper could bolster his defensive ranks by securing the signature of Saiss, who could form a fearsome partnership alongside the talents of Joe Worrall.

The 26-year-old made 21 starts this campaign for the Tricky Trees and could cement himself as one of Cooper’s untouchable defenders in accommodating the arrival of Saiss.

When comparing the duo via FBref, the numbers suggest that due to their opposing strengths in playing at centre-back, the pair could form a strong in-play bond that could higher the level of performance in defence.

The Englishman comes out on top in terms of typical defensive attributes such as tackling and duel winning, averaging 2.14 tackles per 90 to the 33-year-old’s 1.33 in the Premier League last season, as well as winning 61% of his total duels this campaign to Saiss’ 57%, with an average of 3.8 won per game.

However, the experienced defender could provide Worrall with a composed outlet to induce progressive play in the back line, as hinted by his 4.56 progressive passes per 90 to the Nottingham-born gem’s 2.71, via FBref, meaning he could provide a fresh approach at the back.

Having a ball-playing defender is essential in the Premier League, with a lot praised by teams playing out from the back to build wave after wave of attack.

Cooper could, therefore, add another dimension to his defence by placing an colossal individual as savvy on the ball as Saiss to play alongside Worrall.

Babar Azam’s 98 combined with quickfire half-centuries from Sharjeel Khan and Umar Akmal to give the Pakistanis a comprehensive victory in their tour game against Cricket Australia XI

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2017
Scorecard
Babar Azam switched back to limited-overs cricket nicely with 98 off 113 balls•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesBabar Azam’s 98 and fifties from Sharjeel Khan and Umar Akmal powered the Pakistanis to 334 before Hasan Ali led the bowling with 3 for 18 to help defeat Cricket Australia XI by 196 runs at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.The Pakistanis were sent in to bat in their only warm-up game before the start of the five-match ODI series. Asad Shafiq opened the innings with Sharjeel, but that experiment failed when he was caught and bowled by fast bowler Henry Thornton who finished with 3 for 69 in his ten overs.But between Thornton’s first and second wicket, the Pakistanis put on 262 in just over 40 overs. This effort was led by Sharjeel, who scored a 39-ball 62 and put on 83 for the second wicket with Babar, who then stitched partnerships of 78 for the third wicket with Shoaib Malik (49 off 60) and 101 for the fourth with Akmal (54 off 39), before falling two short of a hundred. The Pakistanis’ lower order added 54 off the last seven overs to lift them to 7 for 334. Captain Azhar Ali came in at No. 8 and scored a run off the only ball he faced. Medium-pacer Cameron Green finished with 3 for 59.The Pakistanis’ opening bowlers Imad Wasim (2 for 23) and Hasan Ali then dealt early blows to the hosts, taking the first four wickets within the first eight overs. A fifth-wicket partnership of 47 between Jason Sangha (20) and Josh Inglis – who top-scored with 70 – brought some stability, but was broken by Malik (2 for 20). Rahat Ali, Mohammad Nawaz and Azhar all took a wicket each, before Hasan returned to finish the innings.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could be in the market to add a new goalkeeper to their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window after Jose Sa's disappointing campaign.

In the Premier League, the 30-year-old conceded an eye-catching, in the wrong way, 5.6 more goals than expected, based on the xG of the shots at his goal.

That serves as a drastic change in fortune with the stopper actually saving 7.3 more than expected in 2021/22.

As a result, the club swooped to sign Daniel Bentley from Championship side Bristol City in January as an understudy to Sa but the Portuguese shot-stopper's poor form in 22/23 suggests that he needs strong competition for his place.

However, the ex-Robins 'keeper is unlikely to provide that given his unconvincing form in the second division in recent seasons. The £10k-per-week dud conceded 2.6 more goals than expected in 21 league matches in the first half of the campaign.

Over his last four-and-a-half seasons in the Championship, Bentley has let in a dismal 9.5 more goals than he ought to based on xG, with that an indication that the 29-year-old consistently underperformed in a lower division than the Premier League.

Who could replace Dan Bentley at Wolves?

Julen Lopetegui could brutally ditch the Englishman from matchday squads next term by securing a deal to sign reported £10m transfer target Anthony Patterson.

At the age of 23, the Sunderland titan is an up-and-coming talent and let in 0.08 more goals than expected per 90 in the Championship, compared to Bentley's 0.20 this season.

This suggests that the Black Cats ace would be an upgrade on the experienced gloveman from a shot-stopping perspective and could also have the potential to be an improvement on Sa, who conceded 0.16 more than expected per 90 in the top-flight.

Patterson is also a "commanding" goalkeeper – as he was dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting – who is able to alleviate pressure from his defence. The colossus has stopped 10.7% of the crosses into his box over the last 365 days, which places him in the top 6% of players in his position in the Men's Next Eight Competitions.

Bentley, meanwhile, has only prevented 3.7% of crosses and ranks in the bottom 15% in the same category, an indication that the Sunderland gem would be a huge upgrade on him when it comes to dealing with balls into the box.

Therefore, Lopetegui could ditch the ex-Bristol City man, by making him the third-choice, and provide Sa with genuine competition for his place by signing Patterson, who could either take over as the number one or spur the Portuguese ace to get back to his best.