ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar isn’t on board with how the ICC Champions Trophy saga has dragged on. A hybrid model has reportedly been agreed between all parties, though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a few demands to give their stamp of approval.

PCB, who hold the hosting rights for the tournament, were hell-bent on organising the entire tournament in Pakistan but the recent meeting with ICC has seen them soften their stance. However, PCB has also reportedly demanded all ICC events, to be held in India, be organised in a hybrid model too.

Akhtar, speaking to a Pakistani channel, agreed with the PCB’s stance on demanding a higher share of revenues since the tournament will now be held in a hybrid model. But, where Akhtar stands against the board is with regards to the stance on not traveling to India for future ICC events.

“You are getting paid for hosting rights and revenue, and that’s fine-we all understand it. Pakistan’s stance is also reasonable. They should have maintained a strong position, why not? Once we are able to host the Champions Trophy in our country and they are unwilling to come, they should share the revenue with us at a higher rate. That’s a good call,” Akhtar said.

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Akhtar feels the PCB should send the Pakistan team to India for future ICC events. But, they should build their team in a way that Pakistan should be able to beat India in their own home.

“In terms of playing in India in the future, we should extend a hand of friendship and go there. My belief has always been, go to India and defeat them there. India mein khelo aur wahi unhe maarke aao (play in India and beat them on their home ground). I understand that the hybrid model had already been signed earlier,” he added.

The latest developments on the Champions Trophy debate suggest that India’s matches will be held in Dubai, while one of the semi-finals (if India progresses) and the final (if India progresses) would also be held there. If India don’t go through to the knockouts, both semi-finals and the final will be held in Pakistan.

WTC 2025: The Indian cricket team gave their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final qualification hopes a big boost with a comprehensive 295-run victory against Australia in Perth. The result pushed Australia to the second spot on the points table while India claimed the top position.

A few days later, South Africa’s triumph over Sri Lanka at home saw the Proteas surpass Australia to claim the №2 spot, pushing the men from Down Under to №3. While there still remain a few months before the WTC points table is finalised, the situation is already looking quite nervy.

India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are all in the running for the top two spots. While victory in the Perth Test did give India a solid foundation to build on, Rohit Sharma’s men still have a long way to go before they can be assured of a spot in the WTC final.

Explaining India’s ICC World Test Championship Qualification Scenarios:

Scenario 1: India beat Australia 5–0, 4–1, 4–0 or 3–0

A series win for India by such a comprehensive margin would see Rohit Sharma’s side qualify for the final, without putting the results of other teams into consideration. Such a scoreline will all but rule out Australia from the final race.

Scenario 2: India beat Australia 3–1

If India secure a 3–1 victory against Australia in the 5-match series, they can qualify if South Africa do not beat Sri Lanka in the second Test of the series. However, a 3–1 series win for India, coupled with Sri Lanka suffering a defeat to South Africa in the second Test, would see India drop out. Even a draw between South Africa and Sri Lanka would be enough for India to go through.

Scenario 3: India beat Australia 3–2

Such a scoreline would make qualification quite tricky. Such a scoreline would see India needing some help from the Lankans as they would need to secure at least a draw against Australia in the 2-match Test series starting January 29.

Scenario 4: India draw series 2–2 against Australia

If the Border-Gavaskar series only produces a draw, India’s qualification chances reduce further. In such a case, it would be mandatory for South Africa to beat Sri Lanka 2–0 in the ongoing series. Subsequently, the Lankans must win the 2-match Test series against Australia.

After three underwhelming games in La Liga, Barcelona return to action tomorrow night against Mallorca in a critical battle to compete for the lead in the standings.

Real Madrid’s win over Getafe has given them a chance to take the lead if they win their game in hand, but with that fixture not scheduled for the foreseeable future, Barcelona are in the driver’s seat for the time being.

The midweek clash will be special for Mallorca star Mateu Jaume Morey who spent a good part of his footballing career playing and growing up in Catalonia with La Masia.

The player has been injured for most of the season so far but has become an undisputed starter in recent games after regaining fitness and is now staring at his first game against Barcelona.

Speaking to SPORT ahead of the game, Morey recollected his years at La Masia and how it felt playing against Barcelona.

“Yes, I spent some very beautiful and enriching years there in my life. I learned a lot, but I am at home now and the Mallorcan feeling I carry inside wins all this.”

“In the end, it’s a football game. Then we’ll talk about feelings, but while the ball is in play we’ll give everything so that the three points stay on the island,” he added.

When asked if it was the right time to play against Barcelona who have struggled in the last three match-days, the player said,

“There is never a good time to play against these teams. It will be a very complicated game, there will be times when we will have to suffer, but in the end, playing at home will give us the advantage of playing with yours and having our fans behind us.”

“We have a lot to say in this game, we come in good dynamics after two victories in a row and with a lot of confidence. We’ll go for the three points,” he added.

The former Barcelona star was then asked how it felt on the few chances that he got to train with the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, something he has flaunted on his social media in the past.

“In the end, for a boy who has dreamed all his life of being a football player, being able to go up with the first team of Barça and share the locker room with these players is a dream come true.”

“But at no time did it cross my mind to debut because I was still very young, the possibility was not so far away, but I enjoyed the day-to-day,” he added.

The defender was then asked if he regretted leaving Barcelona for Borussia Dortmund, to which he said,

“No, no. My decision was very clear. I was very happy in Can Barça and I continued to be in Dortmund, despite all the injuries. It was a stage where I learned a lot as a player and as a person.”

Towards the end, the La Masia graduate was asked why not many players from his generation made it to the first team when today’s players are breaking in easily.

“I think it’s times, it depends on the players, on the coaches. There are many factors in soccer. But the players focus on what we can control and everything else you have to accept and follow.”

Finally, he spoke about how he remembered Gavi from his time in La Masia, although the midfielder was in a cadre below him owing to the age difference.

“We lived in La Masia and since we were little it was seen that both football and by the character he had everything to get there and so he has done.”

At the beginning of the season, few would have predicted the significant role Gerard Martin is currently playing at Barcelona. However, his rise to prominence has been one of the most unexpected yet encouraging developments in the squad this campaign.

Barcelona’s summer transfer window was heavily influenced by financial constraints, making it impossible to pursue high-profile signings.

The club had to focus on addressing key areas with limited resources, particularly the need for reinforcements in the full-back positions.

Alejandro Balde, a regular starter, lacked serious competition for his spot. However, as the season progressed, Hansi Flick made the bold decision to place his trust in Gerard Martin.

A Go-to Player

Fast forward nearly four months into the season, and Gerard Martin has become one of Barcelona’s most reliable players.

He currently ranks as the 12th player in terms of minutes played within the squad, which is a remarkable feat for someone who was initially not considered a key figure.

So far, Martin has started seven matches and featured in 14 games overall, contributing two assists during this period. His ability to step up when called upon has not gone unnoticed.

His performances have steadily improved as he gains confidence. Against Brest, he delivered a brilliant assist for Dani Olmo, showcasing his ability to make decisive contributions in crucial moments.

Although his outing against Celta was a bit off, that could be put down as a one-off display.

More Minutes Than Most Regulars

Similarly, when Balde faced a scare during the first half of the game against Las Palmas, Martin once again made the most of the opportunity, putting in a solid performance and accumulating valuable minutes.

Interestingly, Martin has logged more game time than several high-profile players, including Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong, Hector Fort, Dani Olmo, Gavi, and Pablo Torre.

In fact, he is on the verge of overtaking Marc-Andre ter Stegen in total minutes, as the goalkeeper remains sidelined with an injury until at least April.

Gerard Martin’s unexpected rise is a testament to his hard work and adaptability. His consistent displays have proven that Barcelona’s reliance on young talents can pay off, even in challenging circumstances.

Football 2024: Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said no one should feel sorry for Pep Guardiola despite his Manchester City side having suffered a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool won their clash against City 2–0 thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, to go 11 points clear of fifth-place City on the table.

Guardiola’s side is now winless in seven games and is on its worst losing streak in the league since August 2008 — a month before Sheikh Mansour took over the club.

However, Slot was quick to point to Guardiola’s impressive record during his time as City boss when asked if he had any sympathy for the visiting manager.

“You feel sympathy or empathy with the managers that are in a really bad place,” Slot said in his post match news conference.

“They’ve either lost many games or they’re down at the bottom of the league but Pep has won so many things and he’s shown so many times already.

“That’s why the league is not decided in November. Last season they were eight points behind Arsenal I think in February. No one has to feel sorry for Pep, maybe for other managers but not for Pep.

“He’s won so many things and he will be able to bring City back.”

It has been an impressive week for Liverpool, who now have a nine-point cushion at the top of the table, having already beaten Real Madrid on Wednesday to continue their perfect run in the Champions League.

But Slot has insisted that his team should not get carried away and instead must look to keep delivering on the pitch.

He said: “Playing against Real Madrid, playing against Man City, teams that have been and are so, so good with managers that have won so many trophies, it’s always nice to come out in those situations as a winner.

“But the reason why these teams won so many things is that they weren’t able to win once or twice, they were able to win every few days. We were really happy with these two wins but we want to achieve more than this. Winning once or twice, even against these big teams, is not enough to win anything at the end of the season.

“I saw Arsenal yesterday and I saw Chelsea today, they are all capable of getting the same winning streak that we have so let’s not get carried away with one or two wins. It’s all about consistency to the end of the season, keeping the players fit and keeping them playing with this much energy.”

Keeping players fit will be paramount if Liverpool are to go on to clinch a 20th league title this term, with Slot’s defensive options already depleted owing to injuries to Ibrahima Konaté, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas.

“Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate will both be out for a few weeks,” Slot said. “They will not be in the team this week for sure. I don’t think Kostas will be with us in the upcoming week as well.

“These players that we have available now, it’s important even more than normal for them to stay fit. That’s also why I took Trent [Alexander-Arnold] off after 70 minutes.

“He was able to play longer, he played a very good game, defended really well again and was a major threat in attack but knowing that we play Newcastle on Wednesday and then the Merseyside derby on Saturday with only five [defenders] available, we have to take care of them.”