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Abdullah Shafique scored an impressive 66 off 38 balls, but lacked support as Lahore Qalandars slumped to an eight-wicket defeat

Danyal Rasool11-Apr-2025Islamabad United got their title defence off to a robust start, brushing aside Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets in the PSL 2025 opener. An all-round performance included starring roles with the ball from Jason Holder, who took 4 for 26, and with the bat from Colin Munro, whose unbeaten 42-ball 59 guided United through the start of a potentially tricky chase. In the end, though, the holders made short work of a chase of 140, taking any jeopardy out of it long before the winning runs were struck with 14 balls still to go.United won the toss and fielded first, starting tidily against Fakhar Zaman, whom they cramped with the short ball. Riley Meredith got rid of the veteran opener when he failed to get on top of a hook, and Qalandars struggled to get going on a pitch that didn’t allow run-scoring as freely as the Rawalpindi Stadium has in the past. Naseem Shah went for 17 in Qalandars’ third over, when Abdullah Shafique targeted him, but spinners Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan struck back quickly with a double-blow, sending Daryl Mitchell and Sam Billings on their way.Abdullah Shafique timed the ball beautifully but found little support•PCB

Shafique looked elegant from one end, timing the ball beautifully against pace and using his feet against the spinners. He was the only one able to take Imad on, highlighted by a lofted six straight back over the bowler’s head. Time and again, he attempted to break the shackles, but wickets at the other end made it impossible.Sikandar Raza and Shafique struck up a breezy 35-run partnership, but three wickets for two runs derailed Qalandars. Holder, whose variations had proved difficult to handle early on, took two of them, dismissing Jahandad Khan and knocking back David Wiese’s stumps off successive balls, and followed up by ensnaring Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shafique’s resistance finally ended when he became the ninth man out, for 66 off 38, before Shadab’s third wicket wrapped the innings up with four balls to spare.Colin Munro’s unbeaten 59 steered Islamabad through their chase•PCB

United didn’t get off to the whirlwind start they have developed a reputation for in these circumstances, though that was perhaps more down to the trickiness of the surface than the skill of the Qalandars bowlers. Shaheen couldn’t find early swing, and it was 38-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner Asif Afridi who tested the batters most. He sent Andries Gous off in his first over and kept United on a leash, allowing just eight in his three overs in the powerplay.But United had time to fend off Qalandars’ early intensity, and gradually, Sahibzada Farhan and Munro began to grow into the chase. Farhan struggled with his timing but managed to punish enough poor deliveries to smoke three sixes in his 24-ball 25, while Munro kept picking off United’s bowlers from the other end. A slap down the ground off Jahandad’s first ball set him on his way, and once Salman Agha got together with him, they began to break Qalandars down. A wayward 12th over from Wiese produced 17 runs that brought the asking rate down to about a run a ball, and from there, Qalandars lost the leverage to exert any pressure on their opponents. Agha played a characteristically useful knock, a slap over mid-off against Haris Rauf immediately following Wiese’s over and cementing his side’s dominance.Another boundary, followed by Munro slapping Shaheen for an inside-out six, saw United power home with momentum on their side, and when Jahandad was carved over extra-cover by Agha, United made official the victory they had been cantering to for some time.

Franchises are working to get their overseas players to return to India, most of whom left the country on Saturday

Nagraj Gollapudi10-May-20254:30

Moody: CSK need to revisit their magic recipe

The BCCI has begun taking steps towards resuming IPL 2025 in May following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan that came into effect at 1130 GMT (1700 IST and 1630 PKT) on Saturday.”The war has stopped. In the new situation BCCI office bearers, officials and IPL governing council, will discuss the matter tomorrow (Sunday) and take a call,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told PTI Videos. “We will see which can be the best schedule to complete the tournament.”ESPNcricinfo has learned that all ten franchises are trying to recall overseas players and coaching staff back to India as plans are afoot to restart the tournament as soon as possible. It is understood the IPL could start as soon as the following weekend – around May 15 – subject to Indian government permission.The BCCI had to suspend the tournament for a week on Friday following the escalation of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan that led to the abandonment of the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals midway through the first innings in Dharamsala on May 8.The immediate challenge for the franchises is to try and bring back their overseas contingent, most of whom left India between Friday and Saturday. Several franchises have reached out to players and staff asking them to be ready to fly back to India. Some players and support staff who are in transit have been asked to halt further travel for the time being. One of the franchises even asked its coaching staff to postpone travel out of India as they were getting ready to depart on Sunday.Related

• IPL 2025 to resume on May 17, final to be played on June 3

• Injury puts Josh Hazlewood's return in doubt if IPL resumes

• RCB captain Rajat Patidar recovering from finger injury

• Overseas players begin to leave even as IPL prepares Plan B for resumption in May

• IPL 2025 suspended 'for one week' amid India-Pakistan border tensions

Some teams are more fortunate than others in this regard: only two Gujarat Titans overseas players – Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee – have left the country and the franchise is trying to bring them back.While the franchises remained optimistic earlier on Saturday that most overseas players would return if the tournament were to resume in May, they acknowledged there would be no guarantees if the season extended beyond May 25, when the IPL 2025 final was scheduled to be played in Kolkata. That’s because of bilateral commitments for several players, as well as the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, starting on June 11 at Lord’s.A total of 57 matches had been completed in IPL 2025, and the 58th was going on May 8 between PBKS and DC in Dharamsala when it was called off after 10.1 overs of play. The IPL has not yet taken a call on whether that match will be replayed.There are 12 league matches and four playoffs remaining in the season, and one possibility is that these fixtures could be played in three southern cities: Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Seven teams remain in the race for the playoffs, with only Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) out of contention.

Kalis strikes a blow for Tier 2 as T20 County Cup heads towards its final rounds

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2025
Sterre Kalis drove the agenda for Yorkshire with 83 not out to beat their Tier 1 opponents Essex by 11 runs and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Vitality County T20 Cup.Kalis, the Netherlands international, was in imperious touch, hitting 14 fours and one leg-side six in Yorkshire’s total of 188 for 4 in 20 overs.Maddy Ward chipped in with a senior-best score of 43, as the pair shared an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 113 in the last 10.4 overs of the home innings.Essex’s bowlers failed to build any pressure, and their batters rarely looked like reeling in the target as Yorkshire made it six wins from six matches across all competitions.The Eagles finished on 177 for 8, with Beth Langston successfully defending 20 runs off the last over.Yorkshire will host either Devon or Warwickshire at Weetwood next Saturday afternoon in the last eight of a competition billed as the FA Cup of county cricket.Durham secured their own place in the last eight in thrilling style at Exmouth on Friday evening, beating Somerset in a Super Over after both teams posted 124 for 9 in their original 20 overs.Going into the final over of the contest, Somerset needed three runs with one wicket in hand. Katherine Fraser served up five dot-balls before Alex Griffiths scrambled two from the final ball to level the scores.Heather Knight then cracked the first ball of the Super Over for four off Mady Villiers, but after taking a single, Rebecca Odgers was stumped third ball, and when Knight went the same way, the final target was nine. Charlie Dean’s first two balls in reply were thumped for four by Bess Heath, and there was no way back from there.Surrey got the better of Hampshire in a compelling tussle at Beckenham, with Kira Chathli making 95 from 47 balls and Alice Capsey an unbeaten 89 from 45 in Surrey’s imposing 237 for 7. In reply, Maia Bouchier – newly dropped by England – made 53 from 29 balls but lacked support as Hampshire finished on 180 for 9.Kent continued their determined march through the draw, beating Cambridgeshire by 80 runs after posting 193 for 2 in their 20 overs, while The Blaze crushed Oxfordshire by ten wickets after bowling them out for 97.In Saturday’s other tie, Leicestershire had the better of a Midlands tussle with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, winning by 41 runs after a key innings of 52 from 39 balls by Francesca Sweet.On Sunday, Warwickshire confirmed their place in the last eight by holding off Devon at Budleigh Salterton. After opting to bat first, the Tier 1 side were kept to 136 for 8, Bethan Ellis top-scoring with 37 off 35 balls. In reply, Devon could only muster 98 for 4, despite an unbeaten 51 off 60 from opener Elle Golsworthy.

All the contenders in the South Group, as the Vitality Blast returns for the 2025 season

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay28-May-2025

Essex

Previewed by Martin Smith Captain: Simon Harmer

Overseas players: Simon Harmer (South Africa, full competition), Mohammad Amir (Pakistan, full competition).

Finals Day appearances: Six (2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2019, 2023)

Titles: One (2019)

2024 finish: Fifth (South Group)

2024 highest run-scorer: Michael Pepper (535)

2024 highest wicket-taker: Paul Walter (17)Key winter moves: With Sam Cook likely to be requisitioned by England for much of the summer, Essex reacted by re-signing Mohammad Amir to replenish their seam-bowling stocks. The experienced Pakistan international left-armer returns after taking 24 wickets across two Blast spells in 2017 and 2019, the latter helping Essex along the road towards their only success in the competition.The big question: Can Essex shrug off their perennial enigmatic form in T20 cricket? Their entire history in the short format has been littered with fits and starts, false dawns and letdowns. Now, will the new management axis of (coach) Chris Silverwood and (captain) Simon Harmer align to produce something more concrete and significant?Wildcard watch: Matt Critchley has played in all four iterations of The Hundred – for Welsh Fire (2021-2022) and London Spirit (2023-24) – but was overlooked in the 2025 Draft. The golden-arm all-rounder was Essex’s second-highest wicket-taker in last season’s Blast with 14, evidence that leg-spinners are more than worth their weight in white-ball cricket. What’s more, he’s also an explosive bat.Final thought: Michael Pepper has established himself as one of the most exciting of big-hitting gunslingers. In a personal 2024 Blast campaign that included two centuries, he peppered the stands and terraces of South Group venues with 32 sixes – seven more than anyone else and that during a season in which Essex failed to qualify for the latter stages. He toured West Indies with England’s white-ball team in the winter; is he ready to step into the first XI at international level?Mason Crane was a key performer for Glamorgan last season•Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Glamorgan

Previewed by Blake BintCaptain: Kiran Carlson

Overseas Players: Colin Ingram (South Africa, full competition), Hayden Kerr (Australia, full competition)

Finals day appearances: Two (2004, 2017)

Titles: None

2024 finish: Sixth (South Group)

2024 leading runscorer: Kiran Carlson (380)

2024 leading wicket-taker: Mason Crane (19)Key winter moves: Glamorgan’s biggest miss for the T20 campaign this season will be Marnus Labuschagne. The all-action Australian joined for a couple of Rothesay County Championship matches, but international duties mean he’s not available for the Blast. But Glammy have made a smart move to bring in Aussie all-rounder Hayden Kerr who has been a mainstay with the Sydney Sixers and offers flexibility in the batting as well as a left-arm option.The big question: Can interim head coach Richard Dawson bring his Midas Touch in white-ball cricket to Glamorgan? He led Gloucestershire to 50-over success in his first season across the Severn Bridge and the club reached the knockout stages of the Blast in four of his finals five seasons. He coached England U19s to a World Cup final and was on the England staff when the men’s team won the 2022 T20 World Cup.Wildcard watch: Mason Crane is currently the only Glamorgan player in a The Hundred squad where he’ll continue to work with Dawson at Welsh Fire. Ben Kellaway will have eyes on him after his breakout white-ball campaign in 2023 and enters the tournament with solid red-ball form which could propel the ambidextrous 21-year-old’s hopes.Final thought: After securing a white-ball title last year when winning the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, Glamorgan will feel as though they underperformed in the Vitality Blast. They did show their quality in the final group game with a record-breaking win over eventual runners-up Somerset by 120 runs. They have players who will push at the door with Alex Horton, a potential replacement for veteran wicket-keeper Chris Cooke, and all-rounders Tom Bevan and Dan Douthwaite ensuring plenty of selection headaches.Gloucestershire celebrate with the trophy after their 2024 win•PA Images via Getty Images

Gloucestershire

Previewed by Richard LathamCaptain: Jack Taylor

Overseas players: D’Arcy Short (Australia, all group matches), Cameron Bancroft (Australia, full competition)

Finals Day appearances: 4 (2003, 2007, 2020, 2024)

Titles: One

2024 finish: Winners

2024 leading run-scorer: Cameron Bancroft (534)

2024 leading wicket-taker: David Payne (33)Key winter moves: Dynamic with the bat and a capable wrist spinner, Aussie international D’Arcy Short looks sure to prove an exciting replacement for fellow countryman Beau Webster, who featured in 13 of Gloucestershire’s 17 Blast matches last season. Aged 34, Short has represented his country 23 times in T20s and in eight ODIs.The big question: Gloucestershire have always revelled in the role of underdogs and did so again to become surprise winners of last year’s Blast. As holders of the trophy, no one will be underestimating them this season, so can them perform as well with the added pressure of being among the favourites to reach Finals Day?Wildcard watch: Only Cameron Bancroft scored more Blast runs for Gloucestershire last season than Miles Hammond, who notched 54 fours and 23 sixes in averaging 32.46 as an ever-present throughout the competition. The 29-year-old left-hander will again be a key figure in defending the trophy.Final thought: Mark Alleyne’s influence on Gloucestershire’s one-day cricket promises to be as important as when he captained the side in their glory years. No one expected a trophy last season, his first since returning to the club as head coach, but his shrewd tactical brain and winning mentality quickly transferred to the team as they beat hot favourites Somerset in a one-sided final to become Blast champions.James Vince has been missed since his Championship retirement•Getty Images

Hampshire

Previewed by Alex SmithCaptain: James Vince

Overseas players: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (South Africa, 10 matches from June 13), Dewald Brevis (South Africa, full competition)

Finals Day appearances: 10 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022)

2024 finish: Seventh (South Group)

2024 leading runscorer: Joe Weatherley (324)

2024 leading wicket taker: John Turner (15)Key winter moves: The Hawks have completely refreshed their overseas contingent with two of the most exciting young players in the world. Lhuan-dre Pretorius was the top run-scorer in the SA20 over the winter and wunderkind Dewald Brevis. Fast bowler Sonny Baker is also added from last year’s Blast.The big question: Can James Vince feel at home again? The Hawks skipper is only playing in the Blast for Hampshire this year after moving to Dubai over the winter. He had a rare lean 2024 – understandable after attacks on his family house – but the Blast’s all-time leading run scorer has been tearing up franchise leagues around the world and is ready to return to the UK with his destructive brand of cricket.Wildcard watch: Dewald Brevis. Has been mentored by South African great AB de Villiers and it shows. He burst onto the scene by breaking the most runs at the 2022 U19 World Cup. He ended that year by smashing 162 in 57 balls – the joint third highest T20 score of all-time. More recently, he won the SA20 with MI Cape Town with the competition’s highest strike-rate. Also bowls very useful leg-spin.Final thought: Having won the Blast in 2022, before reaching Finals Day the following year, 2024 was underwhelming, filled with a series of overseas not arriving and general under performance. The new Proteas contingent provides an exciting new headline but the core squad, that knows the unique challenges of the expansive Utilita Bowl, is still there. Vince should return fresher without two months of Rothesay County Championship cricket in his legs but with PSL form.Sam Billings has been a prolific trophy-winner of late, including with Oval Invincibles in the Hundred•PA Photos/Getty Images

Kent

Previewed by Fred AtkinsCaptain: Sam Billings

Overseas players: Wes Agar (Australia, all group matches) Tom Rogers (Australia, all group matches)

Finals Day appearances: Four (2007, 2008, 2009, 2021)

Titles: Two (2007, 2021)

2024 finish: Ninth (South Group)

2024 leading runscorer: Sam Billings (411)

2024 leading wicket taker: Matt Parkinson (16)Key winter moves: Rogers was an emergency signing last year and enjoyed himself so much he said he’d come back for free (although he is being paid). Agar was only supposed to play red-ball cricket last year but did enough as emergency cover to earn a multi-format deal. Chris Benjamin’s arrival from Bears should add some firepower.The big question: Will the return of Fred Klaassen galvanise a bowling unit that was badly exposed last year? The Dutch international missed most of 2023 and all of 2024. Inexperienced replacements were severely punished for the slightest lapses in length, line or both, but Klaassen offers both a wicket-taking threat and a level of discipline and control severely lacking last season.Wildcard watch: Daniel Bell-Drummond. The stylish right-hander is without a The Hundred team after previous stints at London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix. He’s a safe bet for any team looking for top-order hitting with more than 4,000 Vitality Blast runs to his name at a strike rate close to 140, while he enjoyed a profitable 2024 with 373 runs which included three half-centuries.Final thought: Does any side blow as hot and cold as Kent have done in the last few seasons? They won the Blast in 2021, finished bottom of the South Group in 2022, were unlucky not to reach the quarter-finals in 2023 and struggled again in 2024. If this pattern continues they should be due a good season, and seven of the 2021 champions (Crawley, Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Billings, Leaning, Stewart and Klaassen) remain at the club.Kane Williamson during a practice session with Middlesex•Getty Images

Middlesex

Previewed by Jon BathamCaptain: Stephen Eskinazi

Overseas players: Kane Williamson (New Zealand, full competition) and Josh Little (Ireland, full competition)

Finals Day appearances: One (2008)

Titles: One (2008)

2024 finish: Eighth (South Group)

2024 leading runscorer: Martin Andersson (282)

2024 leading wicket taker: Luke Hollman (23)Key winter moves: The signings of a world-class batter in Kane Williamson and left-arm seamer Josh Little, a man with stacks of experience of franchise cricket, is a statement of intent. Last year’s leading run-scorer Martin Andersson has left for Derbyshire and it remains to be seen if another new arrival, Zafar Gohar will form a two-pronged spin attack alongside Luke Hollman.The big question: Can Middlesex live up to head coach Richard Johnson’s great expectations? Johnson declared pre-season it was time to move from ‘developing to winning’. Williamson and Little’s presences will help, but youngsters invested in over recent years need to emulate Hollman’s feats from 2024 if the Seaxes are to improve on their record since lifting the trophy in 2008.Wildcard watch: Joe Cracknell. The 25-year-old regressed a little last season, when shifted around the order and unable to settle into a specific role. However, whether in the powerplay or as a finisher he’s shown his ability as a big-hitter and a return to his best could see him add to the three appearances made for London Spirit in the inaugural Hundred of 2021.Final thought: The only way is up for Middlesex, but their long-suffering supporters have heard that before. Andersson was 41stamong tournament runscorers last season while Max Holden’s strike-rate of 160 was strong but he rarely batted long enough. Williamson’s presence should help the pace the innings, which had some good starts but too many collapses. Hollman, fifth in last season’s list of wicket-takers can shine again, while Little’s experience in the powerplay and death overs will be key to any improvement.Matt Henry has led Somerset’s pace attack in recent campaigns•Getty Images

Somerset

Previewed by Richard LathamCaptain: Lewis Gregory

Overseas players: Riley Meredith (Australia, full competition), Matt Henry (New Zealand, first 11 group matches)

Finals Day appearances: 10 (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Titles: Two (2005, 2023)

2024 finish: Runners-up

2024 leading run-scorer: Tom Banton (515)

2024 leading wicket-taker: Ben Green (21)Key winter moves: Australia T20 international pace bowler Riley Meredith was signed to replace Kiwi Matt Henry last season. Now both have been recruited to form an exciting new-ball partnership, which promises to be as potent as any in the Blast, with Craig Overton as an accomplished back-up.The big question: Can the likes of Will Smeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit the ground running with their powerful stroke play, without the benefit of some red-ball cricket behind them this summer? The hugely talented Smeed averaged only 21 in last year’s Blast and needs to reestablish himself as a destroyer at the top of the order.Wildcard watch: Lewis Goldsworthy has not featured in Championship cricket for Somerset this season, but his ability as a spinner allied to his prowess with the bat could make him a candidate to replace Roelof van der Merwe, whose Somerset T20 career has ended after two impressive spells with the club.Final thought: The burning memory of a shock defeat by arch-rivals Gloucestershire in last year’s Blast final should be all the incentive Somerset need to drive them to another Finals Day with a team that looks stronger in the bowling department than last season and equally explosive with the bat.Sam Curran has a point to prove in the Blast, where he is now Surrey captain•Getty Images

Surrey

Previewed by Mark BaldwinCaptain: Sam Curran

Overseas players: Mitchell Santner (New Zealand, available after IPL and knockout matches), Nathan Smith (New Zealand, full competition)

Finals Day appearances: Nine (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2023, 2024)

Titles: One (2003)

2024 finish: Semi-finals

2024 leading run-scorer: Jamie Smith (285)

2024 leading wicket-taker: Tom Curran (16)Key winter moves: New Zealand’s white-ball captain, Mitchell Santner, is available when the rescheduled IPL finishes and will also be available for the knock-out stages in September if the team – now captained by Sam Curran – qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. Left-arm spinner Santner’s fellow Kiwi, all-rounder Nathan Smith, has already impressed in the Rothesay County Championship as the club’s other new overseas signing this season.The big question: As ever, and especially after a second successive semi-final exit against Somerset, who beat them by 24 runs in 2023 and then by six wickets last year, Surrey are desperate to jettison the tag of only winning the T20 Cup once before – the inaugural tournament under Adam Hollioake’s captaincy in 2003. There have now been eight unsuccessful Finals Day appearances since that triumph.Wildcard watch: Dom Sibley. England’s erstwhile 22-times capped Test opener reinvented himself in last season’s Vitality Blast by unveiling some previously unseen strokes – including an extraordinary reverse-scoop for six in his quarter-final winning 67 not out against Durham. Sibley scored 269 runs in 11 matches at the top of the order, at the highly creditable strike rate of 133.83.Final thought: Surrey are used to it by now – 24 players appeared in last summer’s Blast campaign – but juggling their resources around international call-ups means another big test of the squad’s envied depth. A major plus, however, is Sam Curran’s availability throughout the group stages. Surrey’s new T20 captain, at present surplus to England’s white-ball requirements, played only five Blast innings last year but smashed 13 sixes while scoring 237 runs at a strike rate above 150.Tymal Mills will guide Sussex’s fortunes•PA Images/Getty

Sussex

Previewed by Bruce TalbotCaptain: Tymal Mills

Overseas players: Nathan McAndrew (Australia, all group stage), Gurinder Sandhu (Australia, all group stage), Daniel Hughes (Australia, full competition)

Finals Day appearances: Six (2007, 2009, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2024)

Titles: One (2009)

2024 finish: Semi-finalists

2024 leading run scorer: Daniel Hughes (596)

2024 leading wicket taker: Tymal Mills (24)Key winter moves: No major changes. Tall Australian seamer Gurinder Sandhu, who has played for three teams in the Big Bash, has mainly been signed for red-ball cricket in June and July but will be another option for Mills.The big question: Mills was outstanding in his first season as captain. Calm and composed under pressure, he revelled in the responsibility, and rather than affecting his bowling he finished with 24 wickets – more than any other Sussex bowler and his most productive season since debut 14 years earlier. He will relish the opportunity to prove that reaching Finals Day was no fluke and going one better than the semi-finals.Wildcard watch: Harrison Ward has been on Sussex’s staff since 2021 but until last season didn’t seem to have a defined role and sometimes came in as low as number eight. Mills gave him clarity by making him Hughes’ opening partner and he responded with 350 runs, three fifies and a strike rate of 157.65, form that earned him a chance in The Hundred.Final thought: Sussex were unexpected semi-finalists last year, having won ten games out of 28 in the previous two seasons, but Mills led them superbly and with virtually the same squad there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be competitive. Head coach Paul Farbrace has set the bar high again, and both he and Mills will regard not reaching the knockout stages at least as failure.

Dead-ball specialists are an important part of the modern game, with Goal having uncovered the cream of that particular crop over the past decade

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  =10. Philippe Coutinho

  Seven free-kick goals spread over spells at Inter, Liverpool and Barcelona.

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  =10. Christian Fuchs

  Seven free-kick goals spread over spells at Bochum, Mainz, Schalke and Leicester.

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  =10. Wayne Rooney

  Seven free-kick goals spread over spells at Manchester United and Everton.

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  =10. Aleksandar Kolarov

  Seven free-kick goals spread over spells at Lazio, Manchester City and Roma.

Goal puts together a team made up of the best players from either side, but who makes the cut in the absence of Lionel Messi?

On Sunday, the age-old rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid will recommence at Camp Nou. 

The Catalans sit one point behind leaders Atletico in the Primera Division table after Saturday's results, but while Madrid find themselves apparently distant in eighth, victory would draw them to within a point of their foes and, temporarily, at least, arrest talk of crisis.

In the build up to the game, though, there are inevitable squabbles over which team has the better squad. Is Luis Suarez superior to Karim Benzema or is Casemiro better than Sergio Busquets?

Here, Goal picks the combined Clasico XI, judging players on current form and availability for the fixture, meaning that Lionel Messi – out with a fractured arm – cannot be picked. 

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  1Gareth Bale

  Gareth Bales heroics in the Champions League final seemed to have teed him up for a better year at the Bernabeu, but that has not come to fruition. Scored three times in the first three games of the Primera Division season and makes the cut due to a lack of better options.

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  2Luis Suarez

  With Real Madrid impotent, Luis Suarez finds himself in the centre-forward role almost by default. He has not hit the heights expected of him yet this season, but with four goals and as many assists, he is still producing the goods for his team.

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  3Philippe Coutinho

  The Clasico giants are both toiling by their high standards offensively this season, but Barcelona impressed in their 4-2 win over Sevilla last weekend, in which Philippe Coutinho struck the opening goal. Has yet to find his best form since moving to Spain but has four goals for the season.

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  4Ivan Rakitic

  Like Modric, Ivan Rakitic shone at the World Cup, but his overall level of performance this year has been formidable. Is a player who provides fluidity to his team and dovetails perfectly with his compatriot.

Clubs in the English top flight have until June 23 to tie down players to short-term deals if they want to finish the 2019-20 season

The coronavirus pandemic threw football into chaos this year.

While the Premier League season has now resumed, clubs and players alike face an uncertain future.

The financial ramifications of the disruption are yet to be truly seen but, in the short term, players up and down the country find themselves with decisions to make.

Most player contracts in the Premier League end on June 30 of a given year, but the 2019-20 season is now expected to run until late July. For clubs playing in Europe, fixtures may continue until the end of August.

The Premier League has set a deadline of June 23 for players to agree short-term contract extensions in order to play until the end of the season.

Some have already taken up this option – David Silva at Manchester City and Liverpool’s Adam Lallana among them – but plenty of players are still set to be without a club on July 1.

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  Willian – Chelsea

  Brazil international Willian has played more than 300 times for Chelsea since joining in 2013, winning two Premier League titles after the Blues hijacked a proposed move to Tottenham.

  However, his future has been up in the air for some time now and he has been linked with a number of clubs during the 2019-20 season.

  Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked, with the 31-year-old still a useful player for any club looking to add strength in depth.

  Barcelona were also rumoured to be considering a move during the January transfer window but for now, he is believed to be open to signing a temporary contract to finish the season with Chelsea.

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  Ryan Fraser – Bournemouth

  Fraser’s decision not to agree a short-term contract extension has left Bournemouth staring down the barrel of relegation as the final stretch of the season looms.

  He notched seven goals and 14 assists in the Premier League last season, though he has scored only once in the current campaign.

  The Cherries restart the season in 18th. Simon Francis, Andrew Surman, Artur Boruc and Charlie Daniels have all agreed to short-term deals, but Fraser will depart for free.

  Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked with his signature.

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  Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham

  Contrasting reports around Vertonghen’s immediate future mean it is currently unclear whether or not he will still be a Tottenham player come July 1.

  The 33-year-old has been at Spurs since 2012, one of the key figures in their progression under Mauricio Pochettino.

  His experience also means he will be a wanted man if he does leave on a free transfer.

  Fellow defender Japhet Tanganga, who made his debut earlier this season, is also out of contract but had reportedly been in talks over a new deal before Covid-19 struck.

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  David Luiz – Arsenal

  Arsenal are looking to reshape their squad on a budget under Mikel Arteta, and it remains to be seen whether Luiz will be part of the rebuild.

  He may well have already played his last game for the Gunners, having been sent off in a disaster-class performance against Manchester City in their first game back.

  Luiz has shown signs of being keen on another year at the Emirates Stadium but, after an unconvincing season, some fans would doubtless be content to see him go.

  The defender’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, has said his future will be decided before the June 23 deadline.

Which players are still ahead of the Senegal forward in the Premier League’s scoring charts?

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  29Darren Bent

  Maligned during a tough spell with Tottenham Hotspur, Charlton Athletic and Sunderland fans will have much fonder memories of Bent, who scored 106 top flight goals.

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  28Paul Scholes

  One of three central midfielders on this list, Scholes evolved during his career, excelling both in a striking role and also, as his legs aged, as a deep-lying playmaker.

  Magnificent in the build-up play, while also an expert at running late into the box to finish off moves, he registered 107 top flight goals.

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  27Sadio Mane

  Heading into his 30th birthday – and Liverpool's showdown with Manchester City – Mane currently has 107 Premier League goals, joint with Scholes in 27th place in the all-time rankings.

  He's showing little signs of slowing down, and will back himself to make the top 20 before the year is out.

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  26Peter Crouch

  Boasted a touch to class and a technical edge, despite often being stereotyped as a one-dimensional target man, Crouch’s 108 goals are testament to his class.

  Featured for the likes of Southampton, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth.

Some all-time greats have played for Uruguay, but only the best of the best can make this dream XI!

Uruguay might often find themselves in the shadow of the likes of Brazil and Argentina somewhat, but there's no denying they are up there as one of the most successful international teams ever.

La Celeste are not only 15-time Copa America champions – a joint record held with Argentina – but they have also won two World Cups, one in 1930 and another in 1950.

Some absolute superstars have featured for Uruguay throughout their rich history, with names such as Enzo Francescoli, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani familiar to fans across the world.

But who would make their all-time Dream Team?

Let's have a look!

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  GK: Fernando Muslera

  The all-time greatest goalkeeper in Uruguay's history is without doubt Fernando Muslera.

  Since making his international debut in 2009, he has made over 130 appearances for his country, appearing in three World Cups ahead of Qatar 2022 and five Copa America competitions.

  Muslera helped Uruguay finish fourth at the 2010 World Cup with a string of impressive performances.

  Another legendary Uruguayan goalkeeper who deserves a mention is Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, but Muslera is simply in a league of his own and there's no looking past him.

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  CB: Diego Godin

  Regarded as one of the toughest defenders of his generation, Godin is Uruguay's most-capped player of all time.

  The legendary centre-back has made over 150 appearances since making his debut in 2005 and has appeared at numerous major tournaments.

  Godin was part of La Celeste's squad for the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, while also heading into the 2022 edition as his country's captain.

  The highlight of his international career came when the lifted the Copa America in 2011 following Uruguay's win over Paraguay in the final, even if he only featured a couple of minutes at the tournament due to health issues.

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  CB: Jose Nasazzi

  Captain of the legendary Uruguay team that won the first official World Cup in 1930, Nasazzi was a rock at centre-back throughout that tournament.

  The defender also went on to feature and win four South American Championship crowns for the great Uruguayan sides of 1923, 1924, 1926 and 1935.

  After making 41 appearances during a 13-year spell with the national team, Nasazzi retired from the game in 1937.

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  CB: Paolo Montero

  An important member of the national team between 1991 to 2005, Montero was a key figure for Uruguay around the turn of the century.

  He represented them at the 1997 Confederations Cup as they finished fourth and helped Uruguay qualify for the 2002 World Cup, where they were knocked out at the group stage.

  At the 2004 Copa America, Montero was one of the senior figures in Uruguay's run to the semi-final.

  He suffered a heartbreaking injury in Uruguay's bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup as they eventually narrowly lost out to Australia on penalties.

  The defender made 61 appearances for Uruguay.

The young Gunners striker has taken France by storm this season to sit top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts – but what does his future hold?

When Folarin Balogun opted to leave Arsenal and join Reims on loan last summer, he was sent on his way with an instruction from Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners boss, however, didn’t overload the young striker with anything tactical or set him any targets to aim for during his season on loan in France. It was all far more simple than that.

“Mikel just wanted me to develop as a man,” Balogun said. “I’m starting to learn what he meant by that. I think by the time I go back I’ll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left.”

Given what Balogun is achieving in France this season, there is no doubt he will return to Arsenal in the summer far better placed to push for a spot in Arteta’s first-team squad.

The 21-year-old has 14 goals from 18 starts for Reims and currently tops the scoring charts in Ligue 1. He’s one goal ahead of Kylian Mbappe and two clear of his former Arsenal team-mate Alexandre Lacazette, who is now back at Lyon. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is four goals behind the England Under-21 international.

Balogun has taken France by storm, with his heroics over the past fortnight catapulting him into the headlines on both sides of the channel.

First, he scored an injury-time equaliser at Paris Saint-Germain to stun Parc des Princes and earn Reims a deserved 1-1 draw. He then helped himself to a hat-trick a few days later as Lorient were swept aside in style.

Balogun’s impressive form this season means Arsenal will have a big decision to make when it comes to his future in the summer. Do they keep him around or is this the perfect time to cash in, given his stock might never be as high again?

GOAL takes a look at all the options…

• Keep

  After enjoying such a breakthrough year in France, the worst thing that could happen for Balogun next season would be to return to north London and spend the majority of the campaign sitting on the bench.

  But with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in front of him, that is probably what would happen should he stick around and be part of Arteta’s squad.

  There would be opportunities for him, but you would expect they would be few and far between, especially as Arsenal look well set to secure Champions League football next season.

  So this does not feel like the best option when it comes to managing Balogun’s ongoing development. He’s had his first proper taste in senior football of playing week in, week out, and he will not want to go back to just getting the odd minute here and there off the substitutes' bench.

  That scenario will not really suit anyone. It certainly won’t benefit Balogun and it won’t really benefit Arsenal either. It might give them another body in the squad, but Balogun’s value would plummet should he spend the season without having any regular playing time. 

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  Loan

  This would certainly be an appealing option.

  Balogun has had two decent loan spells so far. His stint at Middlesbrough during the second half of last season may not have been spectacular, but it taught him a lot about what to expect from senior football. He’s clearly taken a lot from that experience into his time with Reims and has taken his game to another level.

  It feels like the next step for Balogun in his development could potentially be to spend a season on loan with a Premier League club. That would be a major step up from Ligue 1 and would allow Arsenal to have a prolonged look at how the young striker deals with the demands of the English top flight.

  The big issue with this option, however, is that Balogun would really need to agree to a contract extension at Arsenal before they send him out on loan again.

  With his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2025, it makes little sense to send him out on loan next season if he has not agreed to extend his stay with the Gunners first.

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  Sell

  This would be a difficult decision, given Balogun’s undoubted potential and the fact that he has come through the academy. But Arsenal need to get better at selling players when their stock is at their highest.

  The north London club have struggled for years to bring in good money from their unwanted or under-used squad members, with a couple of notable exceptions.

  One of those exceptions was Joe Willock, who the Gunners sold to Newcastle for £25 million following his exceptional loan spell at St James’ Park during the second half of the 2020-21 season.

  Arteta was a fan of Willock, but he and the club decided that £25m ($33m) was an offer they couldn’t really turn down for a player who was far from guaranteed to become a regular at Arsenal.

  It’s a similar scenario when it comes to Balogun. There is clearly lots of potential there, but should a big-money offer arrive on the back of his impressive exploits with Reims, it would be very tempting for the Gunners to cash in.

  They know they have to start bringing in revenue from transfer fees and there are few players in the squad as sellable as Balogun right now.

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  The verdict

  There’s no doubt Arsenal have a dilemma on their hands when it comes to Balogun.

  Of the options available to them, the worst one they could take would be to keep him around for next season and not play him. That will do him no good whatsoever and would only see his market value plummet.

  It feels like the best possible scenario would be for the striker to agree to a new long-term contract and then head out on loan again, but this time to a Premier League club. He’s had experience in the Championship and also a season in one of Europe’s top leagues, but a year in the Premier League will be the acid test.

  It will show Arsenal a lot in terms of his ability to perform at the very top level and would give Balogun the opportunity to develop in the world’s toughest league.

  But for that to happen he would need to extend his contract first before going out.

  Should he decide not to do that, then the best option for Arsenal this summer would be to cash in when he still has two years of his deal remaining and take advantage of the sensational season he has been enjoying in France.