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West Ham United have had an up and down start to the campaign under David Moyes and are now reportedly keen to wrap up a new contract for an academy gem.

West Ham's striker options struggle

West Ham are always in the hunt to improve their squad and January looks as if it will continue to be a busy period for the Hammers, who already welcomed the additions of James Ward-Prowse, Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez, Andy Irving and Konstantinos Mavropanos in the summer transfer window.

One recurring rumour that never really seems to end at the London Stadium is the Hammers' hunt for a new striking addition, amid speculation that West Ham boss Moyes may look to upgrade on Michail Antonio if the right option arrives on the market. According to Football London, Chelsea's ongoing pursuit of Napoli poacher Victor Osimhen could make room for Armando Broja to leave the club and West Ham could reportedly reignite their interest in the Albania international.

Alongside Antonio, veteran striker Danny Ings and youngster Divin Mubama are Moyes' only recognised strikers at the London Stadium. Broja's profile and physicality could offer a handy alternative to the Scot if any deal were to materialise in the near future.

Antonio, Ings and Mubama have scored two goals between them this campaign, making the centre-forward position an area with potential room for improvement come the New Year (West Ham squad statistics – Transfermarkt).

West Ham striker options – 2022/23 League Statistics compared

Michail Antonio

Youssef En Nesyri

Hugo Ekitike

Danny Ings

Appearances

21(12)

17(14)

12(13)

7(10)

Goals

5

8

3

2

Assists

3

1

4

2

Aerials Won Per Game

1.5

1.9

1.4

0.9

Shots Per Game

1.2

1.9

1.4

0.9

Dribbles Per Game

0.8

0.1

0.6

0.3

Statistics according to Whoscored

Jarrod Bowen and the aforementioned Kudus have also improvised in a central striking role this term; however, bringing in a natural number nine would alleviate some of their goalscoring concerns, given that they have scored the joint second-fewest goals in the top half of the Premier League table across 2023/24, level with Chelsea and only bettering Manchester United.

Now, reports suggest that West Ham now have designs on wrapping up an important internal deal at the London Stadium sooner rather than later.

Divin Mubama contract update

As per The West Ham Way, popular Irons insider EXWHUEmployee has revealed that West Ham are keen to get a contract extension over the line for 19-year-old striker Mubama, who is set to be out of contract at the London Stadium in the summer of 2024.

Divin Mubama at West Ham – all competitions (Transfermarkt)

Appearances

9

Goals

1

Assists

1

EXWHUEmployee told the outlet: "West Ham started the talks with Mubuma and his team 12 months ago. The club absolutely want him to stay, but as we know, we do adopt a very strict wage structure policy. It must be said though that Declan Rice played many many games for the club on a youth wage, earning his right to then seek higher wages later in his career – something I think gets forgotten.

"Also, agents do not help the situation. The rules around football agents have changed so that the best way for them now to earn directly, is through their clients moving around. So sometimes its hard to know if they have the players best interest at heart.

"Now I have been told that the offer on the table is ‘amazing’, although this is from the clubs side. Now clearly the Mubama camp doesn’t feel that way, otherwise it would have been signed."

Ensuring talented youngsters commit their future to West Ham will be an important priority for everyone connected with the club; however, it looks like we will need to wait and see regarding Mubama's next career steps.

MatériaMais Notícias

Eduardo Barroca terá uma dor de cabeça para resolver durante esta sexta-feira. O Botafogo passa por problemas para formar a dupla de zagueiros que jogará o duelo contra o Internacional no Beira-Rio no próximo sábado, às 19h, pela 25ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O treinador tem três desfalques para a posição.

Rafael Forster e Marcelo Benevenuto estão suspensos por, respectivamente, terceiro cartão amarelo e expulsão contra o São Paulo, na última quarta-feira. Sousa, que seria a opção direta para a posição, está com a Seleção Brasileira sub-20 na Granja Comary. Os comandados de André Jardine disputarão um torneio até o dia 18 de dezembro.

Desta forma, Eduardo Barroca tem três opções para a dupla de Kanu, único titular disponível: Helerson, Cícero e Wesley. Por diferentes razões, o treinador que terá que pensar para chegar a uma decisão concreta.

Helerson trabalhou com o próprio Barroca quando ele era treinador das categorias de base do Botafogo. O defensor, inclusive, chegou a atuar em quatro oportunidades com Kanu, possível dupla, no Brasileirão sub-20 de 2017. Pelo profissional do Alvinegro, tem três partidas em 2019, todas no comando de Zé Ricardo.

A questão é que o defensor não entra em campo há um ano. Na ocasião, no dia 13 de dezembro de 2019, Helerson atuou pelo time B do Estoril, onde estava emprestado, contra o Benfica. Na atual temporada, ele chegou a ser afastado do Botafogo por problemas de indisciplina, mas foi reintegrado por Túlio Lustosa e relacionado pela primeira vez justamente contra o São Paulo.

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Wesley é um dos destaques do time sub-20, que está na final do Campeonato Carioca da categoria, mas nunca atuou na categoria profissional. O defensor chegou a ser relacionado para a partida contra o Grêmio, há praticamente dois meses, mas não entrou no decorrer dos 90 minutos.

O defensor de 19 anos pertence ao Três Passos Atlético Clube, mesma equipe que tinha parte dos direitos federativos de Luís Henrique, vendido ao Olympique de Marselha. Relacioná-lo é uma opção para a partida contra o Internacional.

A terceira opção de Barroca seria uma improvisação: colocar Cícero, volante de origem, como zagueiro. O camisa 28 havia perdido espaço com a comissão técnica de Ramón Díaz, mas voltou a ser envolvido nas partidas com o retorno do treinador brasileiro.

Barroca, inclusive, já atuou com Cícero na primeira linha da defesa. Em 2019, diante do Atlético-MG, na Arena Independência, pela Sul-Americana, o meio-campista foi recuado pelos problemas envolvendo lesões e suspensões que o Botafogo tinha na ocasião.

HELERSON:
– 3 jogos pelo Botafogo
– Nenhuma partida em 2020 (relacionado uma vez)

WESLEY:
– 30 jogos em 2020
– Relacionado uma vez para o profissional

CÍCERO:
– 13 jogos em 2020
– Atuou uma vez como zagueiro pelo Botafogo

تأكد غياب لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك عن مباراة المقاولون العرب المقبلة في مسابقة الدوري المصري للإيقاف بسبب تراكم البطاقات الصفراء.

وكان الزمالك قد تعادل مع بيراميدز بهدف لكل فريق، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما باستاد القاهرة الدولي، في اللقاء المؤجل من الجولة 18 للمسابقة المحلية.

طالع | أحمد الشناوي يعلق على هدف بيراميدز الملغي أمام الزمالك وركلة الجزاء

وحصل عبد الله السعيد على البطاقة الصفراء الثالثة في مباراة بيراميدز التي أقيمت مساء أمس الجمعة في مسابقة الدوري المصري، ليغيب عن اللقاء المقبل.

ويتواجد الزمالك في المركز الخامس بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 49 نقطة، بعدما فاز في 14 لقاء وتعادل 7 مرات وتلقى 7 هزائم.

ويستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك لخوض مباراة المقاولون العرب المقرر لها في يوم الإثنين المقبل في اللقاء المؤجل من الجولة التاسعة عشر للدوري المصري.

Surrey’s winning run ends at nine after Taunton covering fails and pitch damaged by tyre tracks

David Hopps21-Sep-2018

ScorecardSomerset pleaded an “Act of God” after Storm Bronagh proved too much for the Taunton covers and prevented the champions, Surrey, from recording their tenth Championship victory on the trot.Gales as strong as Storm Force 9, combined with torrential rain, battered Taunton overnight and when the groundstaff arrived on Friday morning they discovered that water on the pitch had made conditions unplayable.Photographs of the surface also suggested that the soft and wet pitch had also been damaged by tyre tracks – presumably as the covers were removed.Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, expressed “massive frustration” and questioned how much worse it would have been if the match had been a Championship decider: that had seemed possible deep into the season until Somerset were unable to keep pace with Surrey’s winning run.”It was very windy and I am sure that Somerset haven’t done this on purpose in any shape or form,” he said. “But we were trying to win a game and make it ten on the bounce. Whatever happened, we were well ahead, so it’s massive frustration.Damage on the Taunton pitch•Getty Images

“Imagine if this game had been a championship decider, which at one stage it looked like it might have been. It’s worth the ECB looking ahead to prevent this sort of thing happening again.”What are the repercussions? It is just an abandoned game. Is it the home side’s responsibility to make sure the covering is secure? I don’t know.”According to Somerset’s chief executive, Andrew Cornish, the storm lifted up the covers at one end.”The covers have lifted up slightly at one end,” he said. “That caused the flat cover to move away. Water has got underneath and settled in an area which the umpires deemed has made the pitch unplayable.”It’s really frustrating and not how we wanted out home season to finish. It’s frustrating for people who have come down from London and stayed overnight and those who have been down here for the duration. But this is an act of God and there was nothing we could do.”We had additional sandbags on the covers last night, we had secondary ties on the covers last night and nobody can remember anything like this happening before. It was a prolonged storm last night.”Somerset were already in danger of incurring the ECB’s wrath. They were warned by the ECB’s disciplinary committee that they were “treading a very fine line” after a tie with Lancashire on a sharply-turning pitch in their last home fixture that was eventually marked as “below average.They produced a much flatter surface for Surrey’s visit and began the final day in danger of defeat, still trailing by 174 runs with only seven second-innings wickets standing.Alec Stewart admitted to Surrey’s “massive frustration”•Getty Images

There will be relief therefore in the south west to hear Cornish’s assurance that the ECB had no plans for an investigation. “There was only one conclusion that the umpires could come to and they took that decision early to let as many people as possible know,” he said.”The match officials have been in touch with the ECB and they understand the situation. That’s the matter closed.”As for Surrey, whose lead over Somerset has now stretched to 68 points, they must settle for a record of nine successive Championship wins, a feat not achieved since 1957, the first year that the England captain, Peter May, also took charge of the county side.

The young batsman, who was run out in all three T20I innings against Pakistan, will act as cover for Shaun Marsh after his minor surgery

Alex Malcolm06-Nov-2018

Australia have added young batsman Ben McDermott to their squad ahead of Friday’s second ODI against South Africa in Adelaide as cover for Shaun Marsh while he recovers from minor surgery.Marsh missed the first ODI in Perth on Sunday after requiring an operation to remove an abscess from his buttock.D’Arcy Short replaced Marsh at No.3 but fell for a second-ball duck as Australia were bundled out for just 152.Australia’s chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said McDermott’s inclusion was to give Australia more batting options if Marsh is unable to play on Friday.”Part of the decision to include Ben is to ensure we have appropriate coverage should Shaun Marsh fail to recover in time for Friday’s second ODI,” Hohns said. “We will continue to monitor Shaun’s progress and give him every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the match.”McDermott, 23, made his international debut last month in the UAE playing all four T20Is against the UAE and Pakistan. He was run out in all three of the matches against Pakistan.McDermott was the second leading run-scorer in last month’s JLT Cup behind Chris Lynn, piling up 427 runs at an average of 71.16 and striking at 90.27. He made two centuries and two half-centuries in seven matches for Tasmania opening the batting.His inclusion comes as Australia continue to search for the right mix with its batting line up in ODI cricket, with Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Marsh, Short, Lynn, McDermott all best suited to batting in the first three spots in the order.

يقترب نادي باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي من الإعلان عن صفقة جديدة، ووفقًا للتقارير الواردة ستكون رابع أغلى صفقة في تاريخ النادي.

وتواصل الأندية تحركاتها في سوق الانتقالات الصيفي استعدادًا للموسم الجديد، ويعمل باريس سان جيرمان على دعم الهجوم بعد رحيل كيليان مبابي إلى ريال مدريد.

وحسم باريس سان جيرمان اتفاقه مع البرتغالي جواو نيفيز الذي يبلغ من العمر 19 عامًا فقط، من صفوف بنفيكا.

وفي حال إتمام التعاقد، فإن صفقة نيفيز التي ستتكلف 70 مليون يورو (60 مليون يورو ثابت + 10 ملايين يورو متغيرات) ستكون رابع أغلى صفقة في تاريخ باريس سان جيرمان، بحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “موندو ديبوريتفو” الإسبانية.

وستأتي صفقة نيفيز، بعد صفقات نيمار (200 مليون يورو لبرشلونة) ومبابي (180 مليون يورو لموناكو) وكولو مواني (95 مليون يورو لآينتراخت فرانكفورت).

MatériaMais Notícias

Na última quinta-feira, em mensagem publicada em suas redes sociais, Boselli se despediu do Corinthians antes mesmo de seu contrato sem encerrar, em 31 de dezembro. O jogador, que desde outubro não vinha atuando e apenas treinava com o grupo, terá outro destino em 2021. No entanto, mesmo já fora do clube ele pode terminar 2020 como um dos artilheiros do elenco.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians ainda não perdeu fora de casa sob comando de Vagner ManciniCorinthians24/12/2020CorinthiansBoselli se despede do Corinthians: ‘Foi uma grande honra para mim’Corinthians24/12/2020CorinthiansCantillo volta a treinar com grupo e deve reforçar o Corinthians contra o BotafogoCorinthians24/12/2020

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão clicando aqui

GALERIA
>Relembre 20 momentos mais marcantes do Corinthians na década

Ao longo deste ano, o argentino atuou em 24 jogos e fez seis gols, todos eles marcados antes da parada por conta da pandemia de coronavírus, quando ele vinha em boa fase e chegou a anotar três tentos em uma mesma partida, logo na estreia do Paulistão, contra o Botafogo-SP, na Neo Química Arena.

A boa fase do atacante, porém, durou entre janeiro e março de 2020. Depois da pausa, o Corinthians contratou Jô, que chegou para ser titular absoluto, enquanto Boselli seria reserva, já que antes, com Vagner Love (que deixou o clube em junho), os dois disputavam a posição no ataque de Tiago Nunes.

Esses seis gols, como dito acima, permaneceram como a marca do argentino nesta temporada, já que ele não balançou a rede entre julho e dezembro, até sua saída, na última sexta-feira. Nesse período, aliás, foram apenas 11 partidas, três delas como titular. Isso porque lesões acabaram afastando o jogador por um bom tempo, e os técnicos optaram por outras peças para a posição.

Mas esses seis gols ainda dão a Boselli o status de artilheiro do time na temporada ao lado de Luan e de Jô, que igualou os seis tentos na última segunda-feira, ao balançar a rede diante do Goiás. Se neste domingo, contra o Botafogo, no Nilton Santos, os dois saírem de campo sem marcar, fecharão 2020 dividindo a liderança do ranking de goleadores com o argentino.

Ao todo, Boselli encerrou sua passagem pelo Corinthians com 72 jogos e 17 gols marcados. Em 2019, seu primeiro ano no clube, o atacante foi o terceiro maior goleador do elenco atrás de Vagner Love e de Gustagol. Sem ter o brilho que se esperava, o argentino pode dar adeus ao Timão com o status de artilheiro do ano em 2020, marcando seu nome na história do Alvinegro.

Artilharia do Corinthians em 2020:

Boselli – 6 gols
Luan – 6 gols
Jô – 6 gols
​Gil – 4 gols
Everaldo – 3 gols
Ramiro – 3 gols
Éderson – 3 gols
Danilo Avelar – 3 gols

continua após a publicidade

An update has emerged on Arsenal and their plans to make further additions to their playing squad during the upcoming January transfer window…

Arsenal transfer news – Ruben Neves

According to a report from Spanish outlet Sport, Mikel Arteta is eyeing up a deal to sign Al Hilal central midfielder Ruben Neves ahead of the second half of the campaign.

The outlet has claimed that the Gunners boss is pushing for the signing to improve his midfield options in 2024, and is making his case to the board.

It is stated that the Spanish tactician has identified Neves as a target due to the uncertainty over the future of Thomas Partey, with it being said that the Ghana international could be on his way out of The Emirates, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to seal an exit.

Arteta could now secure a dream heir to the former Atletico Madrid ace by landing his target in January…

Partey's Arsenal statistics

The 30-year-old enforcer has only played four times in the Premier League so far this season but was an integral part of their top-flight campaign last time out.

Partey played in 33 of the club's 38 league matches as they finished runners-up behind Manchester City in the title-race and he displayed his qualities in and out of possession.

Defensively, the veteran battler contributed with 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game and came out on top in 59% of his contests throughout the season.

In possession, Partey completed 88% of his attempted passes and made an impact at the top end of the pitch with three goals and two 'big chances' created in those 38 games.

The statistics that show why Neves could replace Partey

Neves, on the other hand, was lining up for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League last season and caught the eye with his impressive displays.

The 5 foot 11 dynamo, who was lauded as an "incredible" player by former teammate Hugo Bueno, made an excellent 3.7 tackles and interceptions per match to go along with a duel success rate of 53% across 35 league outings.

These statistics suggest that the Portugal international has the ability to provide a defensive presence in front of the back four in a similar fashion to Partey, as they are both midfielders who can break up opposition attacks on a regular basis to win the ball back for their respective teams.

He also made his presence felt at the other end of the field with six goals and one assist for the Old Gold, alongside a pass success rate of 84%.

Neves also ranked within the top 20% of his positional peers within the Premier League last season for progressive passes (6.5) per 90, which suggests that he has the ability to play forward passes between the lines to progress his team up the pitch.

The 26-year-old magician has also made 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game across 12 Saudi Pro League appearances for Al Hilal this season, to go along with five 'big chances' created for his teammates.

Arteta and Arsenal could, therefore, secure a dream heir to Partey's position, should he leave in January, if they are able to snap the former Wolves star away from his current club.

After a slow start to the season that saw them just edge past Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace before drawing at home to Fulham, Arsenal have managed to fight their way to the top of the Premier League table.

Their last-gasp win over Luton Town on Tuesday and Manchester City's 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Wednesday means that the Gunners go into this weekend's action six points clear of the treble-winners in fourth place.

The whole squad seems to have gone up a few gears in recent weeks – well, maybe not between the sticks – but if there is one player who has come to define this new, more mature version of Arsenal more than any other, it is Declan Rice.

The all-action midfielder has arguably been Mikel Arteta's best player this season, and so fans should be excited to hear that the club could sign him a new partner that he described only last month as "one of the best professionals I've ever seen", in the form Kalvin Phillips.

Arsenal transfer news – Kalvin Phillips

According to reports from Spain (via CaughtOffside), Arsenal are interested in adding some more tenacity and solidity to their midfield in 2024 as they look to press on with their title challenge, and the Manchester City midfielder is on their radar of potential recruits.

The defending champions signed the 28-year-old from Leeds United in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £45m, but since then, he has only started five games across all competitions and come off the bench just 24 times, per Transfermarkt.

Not much has been said about how much a deal for the England international would cost, but with how City have sold in the past and Arsenal's new position as a direct rival with them, it would be surprising to see him leave for less than what they paid to sign him in the first place.

That price might shock some, especially given his apparent unimportance to the club, but Phillips is still an incredibly talented player.

While things haven't necessarily worked out for him at the Etihad, he was a "machine", as described by journalist Jordan Campbell when playing for the Whites and England.

Rice and Phillips could replicate their England partnership for Arsenal

It would be a bit of a fib to try and suggest that the former Leeds captain has been anywhere near his impressive best – when he plays, that is – since joining Pep Guardiola's side last summer. In fact, he hasn't really done anything of note for the Cityzens, but in the white of England, he is a different player entirely.

Kalvin Phillips for Man City & England following his transfer

Stats

Man City

England

Starts

5

3

Appearances

29

8

Wins

24

7

Losses

4

0

Draws

1

1

Goal Involvements

0

2

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Despite suffering from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss 18 games for club and country last season and barely playing for the club when he is fit, Phillips has still been a regular in Gareth Southgate's squads and has started almost as many games for the Three Lions as he has for City.

The England manager clearly sees his partnership with Rice as one of the team's bright spots, telling the press in October: "I don't see a better player in England to do that job in a double-pivot with Declan Rice."

Southgate certainly seems to be on to something as the pair started every game together at Euro 2020, when England made it all the way to the final, only losing thanks to a dreaded penalty shootout.

And if that isn't enough to convince you that the Gunners should look into rekindling their partnership at the Emirates, maybe an endorsement from Spanish legend and Barcelona manager Xavi will, as when talking about the pair, he said: "I have also been hugely impressed by the two midfielders, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips. I did not know them that well, but they were superb."

That was also followed by praise from former Three Lions boss Fabio Capello, who described the pair as "two phenomenal players" amid that surge to the showpiece at Wembley just over two years ago.

If the duo can play a crucial role in England's greatest tournament since 1966 and impress the likes of Xavi and Capello along the way, Arteta should be able to get them working like clockwork at the heart of Arsenal's midfield.

Pakistan and New Zealand meet in Dubai a few days after an astonishing implosion saw the visitors take a 1-0 lead in this three-match Test series

Danyal Rasool23-Nov-20186:26

‘I won’t lie but this kind of criticism really pissed me off’

Big PictureEven the most ardent Pakistan supporters will have struggled to suppress a grin at their team’s comedy of errors on a fantastical fourth afternoon in Abu Dhabi. The humour is unlikely to have spread to the dressing room, however, where a devastated set of players and backroom staff saw three and a half days of hard work tossed down the drain, and where Pakistan should have been gearing up to seal this series in Dubai, they now look to avoid losing it at the earliest possible stage.Whether Sarfraz Ahmed’s side suffers a hangover from that four-run loss may go a long way to determining the tempo of this Test. New Zealand will, of course, be buoyed by their performance; games like those can often justify a career’s worth of grind and toil, and Pakistan have their work cut out subduing that positivity among the visitors’ ranks.Hard as it may be, Pakistan would be best served focusing on the winning positions they regularly got into throughout the first Test. The bare facts are New Zealand were clinging on to stop Pakistan from running out of sight in Abu Dhabi, and without significant assistance from the opposition batsman, would be on the other side of the result, as the run of play had suggested all along. It is what caused Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur the greatest disappointment, with the hope being if his men are able to reach a position of dominance in Dubai, it will not be squandered as easily.New Zealand established they were going to pose a much sterner test for Pakistan than their traditionally stronger trans-Tasman rivals Australia, and have put themselves in the position to return home with a fifth series win in the last six. The cricket they have played requires significant improvement, particularly the batting, which always appeared to be a grind in Abu Dhabi, but the team spirit and the fighting qualities that have long been New Zealand’s hallmarks continue to burnish as brightly as they always have.And therein lies the intrigue about this second Test. New Zealand might be good, but most sides have needed to be far better to win a Test match against Pakistan in the UAE. And though this win didn’t come to them easily, there was an element of it falling into their lap all of a sudden after four days of chipping away, with Kane Williamson and his men standing as proud survivors.It has long been said that good sides win when they’re not playing their best. It might be a platitude New Zealand will latch on to, but at the moment, it doesn’t quite convince. For that matter, neither do Pakistan.Form guidePakistan: LWDLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand: WDWWWIn the spotlightAsad Shafiq is a “fantastic little player”, according to Arthur. That he hasn’t then taken the next step and found a way to sneak his name into conversations about Joe Root, Virat Kohli, and indeed Williamson, is a blight not just on his own career, but every member of the coaching staff entrusted with helping him reach his world-class potential. He was the only batsman from either side to score over 40 in each try in Abu Dhabi. That he got out on 45 and 43 – unforgivably in the second innings when he should have led Pakistan to the win – is plaintively representative of a career which promised far more than it might ever deliver. Still only 32, Shafiq has time on his side to make amends, and the only hope one can have is the first Test was a watershed moment for him, and he appreciates his responsibility to a side he has perhaps become too comfortable in.With Ajaz Patel’s memorable debut cementing his role in the side and establishing him as a leading spin contender for his country, it is time for Ish Sodhi to make his mark as well. With a pleasing run-up and the natural advantage of height, Sodhi has become one of the world’s best spinners in limited-overs cricket, but an average of 47 in Tests isn’t good enough. His last outing in the UAE doesn’t inspire confidence either, where he took just eight wickets across three Tests at an unflattering 67.6 runs per strike. Four years on in Abu Dhabi, he had another relatively quiet Test match, and although three wickets for 78 represent a respectable return, it was notable Williamson favoured Patel to operate in the final stages on day four. That, as well as unpleasant memories from four years on, should spur Sodhi on to make a more central impact in the Tests to come.Team newsThe response to Abu Dhabi appears to be more measured than those of collapses past, meaning a fairly similar XI will line up in Dubai. However, Sarfraz did hint that left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi could make his Test debut.Pakistan (possible): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Babar Azam, 6, Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Bilal Asif/Shaheen Afridi, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Yasir ShahNew Zealand took a bold decision in leaving Tim Southee out, but Ajaz Patel more than justified his place in the side on a frenzied final day. That means Matt Henry and Southee may find themselves locked out of the final XI again.New Zealand (possible): 1 Jeet Raval, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 BJ Watling (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Ish Sodhi, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Ajaz PatelPitch and conditionsDubai should see cooler weather than Abu Dhabi, and the pitch, while predictably dry, looks somewhat better for batting than that in the first Test. All that means the side winning the toss has another straightforward enough decision: bat first.Stats and trivia Should he play tomorrow, Asad Shafiq will have featured in his 60th consecutive Test match for Pakistan. That level of permanence is unmatched in the country’s history, with Javed Miandad’s 53 the next best. BJ Watling is 94 runs from 3,000 Test runs. He will be the 14th man from New Zealand to get there, and is the second-longest serving player in the current side, with only Ross Taylor having made his debut sooner.Quotes”Consistency is the key, especially playing here, and we’ll look to keep Pakistan under pressure”
“The mistakes we made in Abu Dhabi we’ve left behind in Abu Dhabi. We had a team meeting after the match and before coming to Dubai, decided we would look forward to the next game than dwell upon the previous one”