Big Leeds ownership claim emerges

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani could walk away from Elland Road by the end of this year, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Leeds’ glorious period under Radrizzani

The Italian bought 50% of the Yorkshire club back in January 2017 before eventually taking sole ownership in May of the same year.

Under Radrizzani, Leeds have enjoyed a tremendous period of success, with Marcelo Bielsa a superb appointment as manager and promotion to the Premier League achieved, followed by a top-half finish upon their return to the top flight.

Howerver, with 49ers Enterprises’ influence at Elland Road now growing, it feels as though his time as Leeds owner could be slowly coming to an end.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: Journalist expects change soon

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that there could be different owners at Leeds United by the end of 2022. He has predicted:

“I think we’ll start to see more investment start to come into the club from the following January transfer window.

“I’m not sure exactly with Radrizzani, but look out for it on the back of the summer because I think we should hopefully be a little clearer by the end of the year.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-39/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: New era dawning at Elland Road

With Jesse Marsch replacing Bielsa as manager last month, it does feel as though a new era is dawning at Leeds – one which looks set to be American-driven in the coming years.

Under 49ers Enterprises, the Whites could have more financial power, allowing more signings to come in and ensuring that the club continues to grow into the future.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

That being said, the short-term importance of Leeds remaining in the Premier League is the priority, with relegation potentially setting them back years. In that respect, the next few months are massive for the club’s future.

In other news, a journalist has talked up one forgotten Leeds player leaving this summer. Find out who it is here.

An opponent you love to love

At the ground whistles and shouts came from people on their tip-toes and Gilchrist must have wanted to wipe his eyes © Getty Images
 

“No!” A spectator at the ground grimaced for the country when Adam Gilchrist swiped a catch to cover. The disappointment was not for the shot, but for his final Test batting act in a career that stole breaths for nine years. Feelings for Gilchrist were still raw after the retirement announcement the previous day and as he emerged from the dressing room the noise grew as quickly as when a teenager has charge of the stereo.Spectators around Australia have roared for Sachin Tendulkar over the past month, but those were whispers compared to this reception. The crowd stood and the India players waited for the batsman, clapping in a show of respect which is magnified by the spate of events that have occurred during the series. Gilchrist is a man even opponents love to love.”I have never seen a retirement bring tears to the eyes of six grown men,” a supporter emailed after hearing the news. “Thank you dearly.”At the ground whistles and shouts came from people on their tip-toes and Gilchrist must have wanted to wipe his eyes. Corporate logos are not the only things he has worn on his sleeves throughout a magical career. Ishant Sharma’s first ball was outside off stump and Gilchrist left it, stepping back to run on the spot and shake off the emotion.A “Gilly, Gilly” chant began on the hill and he drove a ball straight for three. It was crisp despite a short follow through. There was hope for a favourite swot over midwicket, but a handful of singles from cuts were taken to deep point instead. He sprinted for runs even when Andrew Symonds ambled and seemed desperate to impress.There was a fierce reminder of his uncompromising power when he slammed a drive off Irfan Pathan that went low and straight towards Billy Bowden. The umpire dropped and rolled and the ball bulleted to the boundary. Bowden was not the only one whose heart-rate lifted.Hope for more explosions ended three balls later when he swung at a wider Pathan delivery and found Virender Sehwag. Unless two batting collapses occur over the next day he won’t be seen again without wicketkeeping gloves. The sadness was masked by more standing and clapping, the most he has ever received for a 14. Sharma walked across and shook Gilchrist’s hand while the Indians re-joined the tribute.The walk to the dressing room was brisk, but he slowed and turned just before reaching the boundary. A careful wave was aimed at his family in the Bradman Stand before he raised his bat to team-mates and members. After a jog up the stairs he was gone, but for those who saw his deeds he won’t be forgotten.

Inspired Ireland confront confident Zimbabwe

Ahead of their first game the Irish are quite pumped up © Getty Images

Kevin Curran, who played two World Cups in 1983 and ’87 before moving intocoaching, took umbrage at the suggestion that Zimbabwe might be underdogsfor Thursday’s encounter against an Irish team that nearly upset SouthAfrica in a warm-up game last week. Curran admitted that it was achallenge to coach a young side, but was confident that he had the playerswith the quality to start the World Cup on the right note.”We’ve lost a lot of our senior group of players, and that’s left a dent,”he said. “But the new group has responded well and is improving all thetime. Prosper Utseya, the offspinner who captains the side, said that hisplayers were ready – “We’ll give it our best shot” – and weren’t tooaffected by news of further strife back home. “Now that the guys are here,we’re concentrating on playing the games.”For Ireland, who make their World Cup debut, it will be a momentousoccasion. Already, the near-saturation coverage back home has amazed thesquad, though Trent Johnston, the captain who learnt his trade in NewSouth Wales, laughed off suggestions that the side could eclipse BrianO’Driscoll’s rugby heroes. “By all accounts, it’s amazing back home,” hesaid. “Our [board] president brought over clippings of full-page articlesin the newspapers, and there’s been lots of coverage on Sky as well. Thematch starts at 2:30 in the afternoon there, so it’ll be prime-timeviewing.”Curran preferred to highlight Zimbabwe cricket’s admittedly fewpositives, one of which is the new generation coming through. He mentionedAndy Flower, a world-class performer who departed for Essex and SouthAustralia in 2003, as an example of how even the best needed time tomature. “At the age of 20, he was an average player, and I hope herespects me for saying that. But by the age of 30, he was averaging over50 in Tests. So it takes time.”Time is something that’s running out for Adrian Birrell, whose time at thecoaching helm runs out after this competition. “Maybe you guys shouldbring your recorders into the room for the last team talk [ahead of thefinal game against West Indies],” said Johnston with a laugh. “Maybe a boxof tissues as well.”

Kevin Curran doesn’t want to look too far ahead: “We’ve not played Ireland before. They’re a solid outfit and have had good recent results, and we’ll give them respect’ © Getty Images

Birrell, a South African, was in no doubt as to what had impressed himmost about Irish cricket. “It’s the passion for the game,” he said, “thetime, effort and money spent to keep the game going.” It hasn’t alwaysbeen easy, with the likes of Ed Joyce shifting loyalties to England aftermaking a mark on the county circuit. Eoin Morgan, who plays for Middlesex,could be the next to take that path, especially after his outstandingdouble-century against UAE in the ICC Intercontinental Trophy recently.”It could end up like that,” said Birrell, when asked if the Irish cricketteam could eventually comprise professionals who played their game abroad,much like the national football team. “I’m delighted for Ed [Joyce],” hesaid. “Maybe he didn’t feel he could achieve his ambitions with Ireland,and for most players, it’s about having a professional career.”For Johnston, whose parents have come over from Australia to watch, itwill be a proud moment, but not one that will overawe him. “We beat WestIndies three years ago in Belfast,” he said. “Obviously, it’ll bedifferent here with 20,000 spectators in [for the West Indies game]. Theatmosphere yesterday [West Indies-Pakistan] was unbelievable, and evenwhen we played South Africa in Trinidad, the crowd were going bananas forus.”The team that wins can then dream of the impossible, a place in the SuperEights. With West Indies so mercurial and Pakistan weakened by the absenceof some key players, an upset can’t be ruled out. But Curran isn’t lookingthat far ahead. “It’s the first game, and we want to treat all three thesame,” he said. “We’ve not played Ireland before. They’re a solid outfitand have had good recent results, and we’ll give them respect.”If people want to say that they’re favourites, then great. I know whatwe’re capable of. We competed well in the Caribbean last year, and I’dlike to think that we can go from strength to strength.”First, he and his wards will have to overcome the luck of the Irish.

Arthur tips two spinners for Cape Town

Andrew Symonds made his breakthrough as a Test bowler during the Boxing Day Test © Getty Images

Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, predicts Australia will play two spinners in Thursday’s first Test in a selection adding pressure to Andrew Symonds’s role as first-change bowler. South Africa’s attack is expected to be dominated by pace and Arthur told he hoped the pitch at Cape Town would suit his seamers Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock.”I don’t think it’s any secret we are looking for wickets with a little bit of grass in it,” Arthur said. “We want to try and negate the Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill factor, so it will be interesting to see what type of deck we actually get here. I do think [Australia will] play two spinners.”Arthur said if the surfaces suited pace and Australia chose both slow men it would increase Symonds’s workload. “It will be quite interesting because then that third seamer will become really important,” he said. “That will be a very interesting selection.”Symonds bowled well against South Africa in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests during Australia’s 2-0 series win, but he is still inexperienced as an international allrounder with only eight wickets in seven matches.Arthur raised an eyebrow when the Australia selectors sent Nathan Bracken home after the one-day series and opted for the bowling options of Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait behind Brett Lee. “I really think Bracken is a good bowler,” Arthur said.”That actually surprises us.”When Arthur was asked if the one-wicket loss on Sunday would rock Australia’s Test preparations he said: “I think it could. [But] whenever we seem to have Australia down they come back fighting. It is a very, very tough side to beat.”

Honours even with Dutch tourists

The Dutch Under-17 and Under-15 tour of Kenya ended at the weekend, with Kenya’s U-17s winning their five-match series 4-1, while the Dutch U-15s gained revenge with a 3-2 series victory.The event was run under the flag of the new Cricket Kenya board and was organised by former selector David Waters. It is believed that the Kenyan Cricket Association did not have the necessary finances or resources to make the event happen.The result of U-15s series went down to the final match at the Nairobi Club where, in front of a good-sized crowd the Dutch emerged as worthy winners by 28 runs in a very closely fought game. Kongonis Colt James Allan was named Man of the Match for 5 for 29 from 10 overs and then 31 not out as he ran out of partners.The U-17s was more one-sided. Kenya’s only defeat was a close match where the Dutch, needing four to win after being set 227, secured victory with a six. Peter Kituku was named Player of the Series and indeed deserved the award after some outstanding performances.Most of the youngsters play for Kongonis under the guidance of Waters, a well-known and highly-respected figure in Kenyan cricketing circles.

Ganguly in danger of being suspended for slow over-rates


Sourav Ganguly: has a problem with the higher authorities
© AFP

Even if the rain made a result impossible at the Gabba, India, despite their sensational showing on Friday, would perhaps be happy to walk away with a draw and their dignity, but they will live the next days in the fear of their captain being put out of action for the next Test in Adelaide. In the second Test against New Zealand at Ahmedabad earlier this year, Sourav Ganguly became the first player in the history of cricket to be docked a couple of runs for ignoring the umpire’s warning about running on the danger area of the pitch. Now he runs the risk of being the first Test captain to be suspended for slow over-rates.Admittedly, it will be a drastic step for the match referee to consider, but Mike Proctor will be well within his rights to impose a one-match suspension on Ganguly if India are unable to substantially reduce their deficit, which currently stands at 10. “Such decisions are always taken at the end of the match,” Proctor told Wisden Cricinfo last night, “I have had a word with Ganguly and the team management and I will be watching them closely.”This is not the first time the Indians have fallen foul of Proctor on this count. He had fined the entire team 35% of their match fee for slow over-rates in the Hamilton Test during India’s tour of New Zealand earlier this year. While he would not accuse India of slowing down deliberately, Proctor said it was a serious issue. While the Indian management sought to play down the issue, a senior official admitted privately that the matter was of concern to the Indian camp.The new playing conditions of the ICC lay a greater responsibility on the captain for any tardiness on the field. While players can be penalized 5% of the match fee for every over bowled short, the captain is liable for a 10% penalty. If the shortfall is more than five overs, the fine is raised to 10% for regular players and 20% for the captain. At end of the first day, Ganguly was liable for a penalty exceeding his match fee, giving rise to speculations that if the trend continued Proctor would be left with no choice but to hand out a one-match suspension. A shortfall of more than five overs amounts to a Level Two offence under the new ICC Code, which translates to “bringing the game in to disrepute.”While that description can be challenged, it is undeniable that the Indians were markedly lethargic on the field on Thursday, with the wicket keeper and the slip fielders changing ends gingerly. The contrast was remarkable following Proctor’s warning. The fielders sprinted so quickly between the overs that a televsion producer was overheard remarking that it was costing his channel considerable advertising revenue.Wisden Asia Cricket

England want to make big impression in first two ODIs

England are targetting the first two One-Day Internationals of the National Bank Series with New Zealand as vital.The series opens on Wednesday at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, formerly Lancaster Park, and the second game is at the WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.


Hussain- first two games important
Photo Reuters

Captain Nasser Hussain said he was aware that New Zealand had not finished well in Australia and while mindful of how New Zealand played earlier in the summer, he is expecting an even series between two sides of similar lineups, all the way down the order.”Both sides will be sparring up against each other and I think the first two games will be very important,” he said.At the same time he acknowledged that England were well down on experience in ODIs as borne out by the fact that New Zealand had players like Chris Harris who has played 198 matches, Stephen Fleming who has 165, Chris Cairns 146 and Nathan Astle 145.Hussain said he was pleased with the way England were gelling as a team. They were showing character but there was a lot more the side had to learn about one-day cricket.It would be a slow progression but some parts of their game still needed a lot of improvement. Consistency of selection and fighting and showing character was how a team was brought together, he said.Asked where he wanted to see improvements he said: “Our fielding, our intensity, our fighting in tight situations, our batting in the first 15, our bowling at the death, areas like that.”There would be times, possibly even in the New Zealand series, where the wheels would come off but the thing was not to over-react.”You learn more from losses and wheels coming off than wins,” he said.”We don’t play enough one-day cricket, it is only now we are getting experience,” he said.


Bond- out through injury
Photo Reuters

Hussain said he was “disappointed, but not too disappointed” that his side will not have to face up to New Zealand fast bowling sensation Shane Bond this summer.Bond was forced out of the remainder of the New Zealand summer today when diagnosed with a suspected stress fracture in his left ankle.His place in the CLEAR Black Caps for tomorrow’s first One-Day International has been taken by Northern Districts rookie fast bowler Ian Butler.Hussain was informed of Bond’s injury at the start of a press conference soon after the England team arrived in Christchurch this afternoon.”Obviously we have heard a lot about him and saw him in India where we got all that series and he looks a great prospect.”Young fast bowlers bring vibrancy to the game and the New Zealand crowds want to see him on home soil,” Hussain said.The two warm-up games against Northern Districts had been good preparation for the side and Hussain said he had been delighted with the way everything had been laid on in Hamilton. The opposition had been very good.”Coming from India will take us a little bit longer. The bounce on that wicket was more like Perth than Cuttack. We’ve come from England where the wickets do have a little more bounce so we’ve got no excuses there.”We’ve got another full on nets session tomorrow, quite a few of our boys have toured out here before so we are as ready as we need to be.”The WestpacTrust Park wicket had been good and was as fast as anything he had played on.”The last time was in Australia, even in England we don’t get wickets with that pace now, they’re all sort of dying a bit of a death. They’re trying to re-lay a few of them.”But that was a good cricket wicket and you can see that the cricketers New Zealand are producing, the better wickets you play on the better cricketers you get,” he said.Hussain said the laws which allow faster bowlers more opportunities to use a shorter ball each over, required different thinking on a ground-by-ground basis. On some grounds in India it had been vital to make good use of the first 15 overs because the balls went soft, the spinners came on later on and it was difficult to score.Compared to the Australian series where scores of 60/2 were the New Zealand par in the first 15 overs.”There might be times out here when it swings around and you have to keep wickets in hand. There might be times when it is very flat and New Zealand had good bowlers like Harris and we will have to get off to a flyer,” he said.

Yorkshire in dominant position at Swansea

Chris Silverwood recorded figures of 5-20 to put Yorkshire in a dominantposition after the second day of their CricInfo Championship match against Glamorgan at Swansea.Silverwood’s impressive effort – his third five-wicket haul of thesummer – was largely responsible for bowling Glamorgan out for 104,replying to Yorkshire’s first innings of 280 all out.But strangely Yorkshire skipper David Byas failed to enforce thefollow-on, preferring instead to build on his side’s 176-run firstinnings lead.But the plan seemed to have backfired a little when Yorkshire foundthemselves 7-2 and then 53-4. By tea they had recovered to 87-4, a leadof 263.By the close that lead had been increased to 378 thanks mainly to a120-run partnership for the fifth wicket in 30 overs between Byas, whoregistered his second half-century of the match, and Gary Fellows.The damage to the Glamorgan first innings was done when they foundthemselves 4-3 inside three overs this morning thanks to Silverwood.James got a fine edge to the wicket-keeper while Powell and Maynard edgedto third and second slip respectively as Silverwood found plenty of lifein the Swansea pitch.Jimmy Maher did his best to launch a recovery along with Adrian Dale asthe pair added 56 in 18 overs.But then Dale and Maher perished in consecutive Gavin Hamilton overs asGlamorgan slumped to 61-5. There was more trouble just before lunch whenAdrian Shaw was caught at short leg off James Middlebrook. And afterlunch Glamorgan collapsed from 86-6 to 104 all out in the space of 4.1overs.

Ferdinand’s Leeds exit worth £132.5m today

Leeds United would’ve raked in a whopping £132.5m in today’s money, according to The Athletic.

This has been revealed in a new study conducted by football finance experts Kieran Maguire and Jason Laws, who have developed an inflation calculator which adjusts based on revenue increases in the English game over time.

In 2002, a pint of beer would’ve set you back around £2, but in 2022, you’d be lucky to spend less than £4. Similarly, a loaf of white bread cost around 50p two decades ago – now it exceeds the £1 mark.

But calculating football fees based on the country’s inflation (2.8% per year) isn’t enough as it doesn’t account for TV deals and other revenue streams – for example, the Premier League signed a new deal for 2022-25 worth £5.1bn for their domestic rights alone.

Ferdinand departed Elland Road for a world-record fee for a defender of £30m in July 2002, joining Manchester United, where he would go onto win six league titles and one Champions League, amongst other feats.

Using Maguire and Laws’ metrics, if the BT Sport pundit were sold in the modern day, the Yorkshire giants would’ve earned a whopping £132.5m, which would eclipse the current records for English and defensive transfers.

In the summer, Manchester City splashed a British-record £100m on Jack Grealish, whilst no defender across the globe has cost more than the £80m that the Red Devils paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Ferdinand’s departure was met with quite an uproar at the time, understandably so given that he joined one of the Whites’ biggest rivals at the time, following in the footsteps of Eric Cantona, about whom many at the Yorkshire club were still very bitter.

When the former England centre-back knew of interest from Sir Alex Ferguson – who would go onto laud him as “phenomenal” – and co, he sat in then-Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale’s office for six hours to thrash out an exit.

“At Leeds I went and sat in Mr. Ridsdale’s office and just sat there and waited for about five, six hours and said I’m not going until you sort out the deal for me to go to Man Utd,” he revealed to BT Sport (via The Mirror.

“I didn’t go public, I didn’t need to go. We got to a compromise, we got to a situation where he felt he was getting the right part of the deal and I got my opportunity to go to Man Utd.

“But I was adamant I wanted to go because that was the right time and the right move for me.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

United’s initial offer started at £22m for the towering colossus before Ridsdale managed to eke out a further £8m, which in the eyes of some around Elland Road was still not enough for such a crucial player.

There’s no doubt that his transfer to the red side of Manchester contributed to the undeniable furore which exits between the two bitter rivals but, upon reflection, it’s a deal which turned out to be worth its weight in gold.

AND in other news, Forget Raphinha: Marsch heading for big Leeds nightmare over £42m-rated “rare talent”…

Rajshahi defeated on home soil by Chittagong

National Four-Day League

Farhad Hossain’s 83 was not enough for Rajshahi, who fell 22 runs short of their target against Chittagong © TigerCricket.com

The usual script didn’t look like changing for Rajshahi, who won the toss at the Rajshahi Stadium, and Chittagong found themselves at 29 for 4 by the 17th over. Skipper Ehsanul Haque (66) and Dhiman Ghosh (50) resurrected the innings with a fifth-wicket stand of 116 but seamer Mohammad Shahzada removed both within five runs and Chittagong were all out for 198. Rajshahi lost their openers in consecutive balls and closed the first day on 24 for 2. The following day, they continued to lose wickets without any kind of partnership developing and left-arm spinner Mohammad Younus got on top, taking 4 for 22 from 11 overs, as Rajshahi were skittled out for 118 just after lunch. Gazi Salahuddin (49) and Masumud Dowla featured in an opening stand of 76 as Chittagong took a 193-run lead into the third day with seven wickets in hand. The prolific Nazimuddin top-scored with 52, as Chittagong, with contributions from their lower order, finished their second innings on 301. Rajshahi’s spirit doesn’t die easy and they started well in pursuit of 382 with Farhad Hossain (83) and Shakil Haider (76) getting them on their way. At 203 for 2, Rajshahi were making a mockery of the steep target before offspinner Yasin Arafat sent back Hossain and captain Khaled Mashud (0) in the same over. Naeem Islam (48) and Mushfiqur Rahman (47) kept fighting until Arafat (4 for 98) got the better of them too. There were still anxious moments for Chittagong as Alamgir Kabir and Saiful Islam put on 47 for the last wicket and it was left to Ehsanul to ease the nerves when he had Islam caught behind with Rajshahi 22 runs short of the target.Khulna, without a host of players who are on national duty, restricted Sylhet to 300 in their first innings at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Motiur Rahman Stadium. The Golam brothers, Rahman and Mabud, hit fifties for Sylhet while Murad Khan finished with 4 for 79. Khulna did even better when their turn came to bat. Nazmus Sadat fell for 47 but his opening partner, Imrul Kayash, raced to 87 not out at stumps on day two with Khulna on 193 for 1. Kayash extended his score to 138, his third century in the NCL as Khulna piled up 421, all of their top six batsman scoring more than 40 except captain Habibul Bashar, who was dismissed for a duck. Left-arm spinner Enamul Haque (jnr), was a stand out for Sylhet, considering that his 5 for 126 came on a flat pitch. Sylhet briefly stuttered, losing four wickets for 166, before they were rescued by centurions Alok Kapali and Rajin Saleh. Kapali’s 111 came of 110 balls while Saleh was happy to nudge it around and wait for the loose balls and was unbeaten on 131 when play was called off with Sylhet on 362 for 5.Barisal captain Shahriar Nafees put Dhaka in at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and the move seemed to have paid off when they were struggling at 132 for 6. No. 9 Mohammad Sharif’s 57 and Mosharraf Hossain’s 40 pushed Dhaka to 262. Barisal were going great guns at 100 without loss but they fell apart after the openers Nafees (48) and Nasiruddin Faruque (61) got out. Mohammad Rafique and Mahbubul Alam took three wickets apiece as Barisal’s innings finished at 193. Rapid innings’ from stand-in skipper Al Sahariar (92 not out), Mahmudullah (81) and Nadif Chowdhury (50) allowed Dhaka to declare on 294 for 5 before lunch on the last day, with a lead of 363. The Barisal batsmen offered little resistance, with left-arm spinner Hossain (5 for 27) and Alam (3 for 46) leading Dhaka to a 217-run victory.

NCL One-Day

Alok Kapali’s all-round performance fetched him the Man-of-the-Match award against Sylhet © TigerCricket.com

Rajshahi defeated Chittagong at the Rajshahi Stadium to clinch the NCL one-day title with two rounds remaining. Shakil Haider, with 95, was the mainstay in Rajshahi’s 242 before Chittagong were thunderstruck by medium-pacer Delwar Hossain, who took 5 for 34. Faisal Hossain’s unbeaten 91 only delayed the inevitable as Chittagong were shot out for 172.Kapali blasted a 53-ball 73 as Sylhet made 278 for 8 against Khulna at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Motiur Rahman Stadium. Kapali capped off a fine all-round performance by taking 3 for 45 as Khulna could only muster 192, Nazmus Sadat’s 78-ball 83 going in vain.Dhaka, despite fifties from Mahmudullah and Nadif Chowdhury, could only manage 196 against Barisal at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Openers Nafees and Faruque made 61 and 55 respectively as Barisal eased to an eight-wicket win.Player of the week – Alok Kapali (Sylhet)For the second time in eight rounds, Kapali has stood out. Sylhet’s rejuvenation can partly be attributed to Kapali, who is playing his natural game and enjoying the challenge. In the first innings against Khulna, he made 34, and then hit 111 in the second. Kapali’s leg spin also fetched two wickets in Khulna’s second innings. He was devastating in the following one-day match – making a whirlwind 73 and then claiming 3 wickets and a catch.

National Cricket League

Team Mat Won Lost Tied Draw Aban Pts
Khulna 8 2 0 0 6 0 92
Rajshahi 8 4 2 0 2 0 83
Chittagong 8 3 2 0 3 0 77
Dhaka 8 3 1 0 4 0 76
Barisal 8 2 5 0 1 0 59
Sylhet 8 0 4 0 4 0 52

National Cricket League one-day

Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against
Rajshahi 8 7 1 0 0 14 +0.617 1787/389.5 1587/400.0
Dhaka 8 4 4 0 0 8 +0.245 1552/371.4 1560/396.5
Khulna 8 4 4 0 0 8 -0.046 1629/385.1 1614/377.3
Barisal 8 4 4 0 0 8 -0.398 1682/396.3 1777/383.0
Sylhet 8 3 5 0 0 6 -0.115 1659/400.0 1646/386.1
Chittagong 8 2 6 0 0 4 -0.329 1769/385.3 1894/385.1
Game
Register
Service
Bonus