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We may have come to take the shot for granted, but some of the ones in this World Cup have had astonishing visceral impact

Osman Samiuddin05-Nov-2021At one point in his life a decade ago, Asif Ali was faced with a stark choice. He’d just hit a 59-ball hundred on his T20 debut, for Faisalabad Wolves. Great feat, but the downer was that he was essentially a part-time cricketer. He had only just broken through; until then, he was a gun on the tape-ball circuit, making some money from it but still needing a full-time job in a steel factory to make ends meet.He took leave to play in the Super Eight T20, Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament at the time, and when he came back, his employers said they couldn’t afford for him to be taking so much time off in future. They gave him a couple of days to make his decision: leave the job to risk pursuing a professional cricket career, or stay and keep making some extra money as a tape-ball star. Dream big, in other words, or live modest.He made his choice and, not without hardships and tragedies and sacrifices along the way, here he is, dreaming big still. Except, it turns out, he’s still making these cut-throat choices every day. In fact, he does it for a living.Related

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Such as choosing to forego a single off the last ball of the 18th over against Afghanistan and finishing the game himself with sixes instead. Imagine getting that wrong. Then the four sixes themselves, each the result of a similarly stark micro-choice: swing out or get out. Swing out, become a hero; get out, end up the villain.Swing out or get out is what Brendon McCullum thought to himself, six balls and zero runs into innings all those years ago, the one that launched the IPL, the one that underpinned his batting and is increasingly thought to be the platonic ideal for T20 batting. Go hard every single ball; hit a boundary, don’t take a single next ball, hit another boundary; don’t worry about losing a wicket.Not that we’re there yet. There are only a limited number of batters out there who get to play in environments where getting out in pursuit of swinging out is not considered problematic. For everyone else there is still usually a price to pay for getting out too often. That remains the context that underpins not only the batting of an Asif Ali but also, at a narrower level, the hitting of each six, that there are consequences to failing: if it’s not six, the cost is the wicket, which could be the game, which could be a career.We’re still not entirely beyond the moment Adam Gilchrist described with startling clarity after hitting his 100th Test six. “There is a point in time when you and you only know – the rest know it a second later – and it’s the best feeling as a batsman. You know you took a risk. If it pays off it usually pays reasonable dividends and is satisfying.”A flick of the wrists and we’re away•Getty ImagesWhen it does come off, as with Asif, it is more than satisfying. It’s a ride comparable to the best of any sport. Those rare, pure moments when sport imitates life in its crudest formulation: win, don’t lose; do, don’t die; kill, don’t be killed.There are so many of these moments but Novak Djokovic’s forehand cross-court return winner two match points down in the 2011 US Open semi against Roger Federer springs to mind. Like Asif’s sixes, or David Miller’s two last-over sixes the day after to win South Africa a thriller, this was one of those last-gasp convulsions where instinct, shaped by thousands of hours of training, muscle memory and skill, all come together to produce something so powerful, it needs bottling up and injecting straight into the bloodstream.Not every six carries that force. But there has been something more visceral about some of the six-hitting in this tournament. Some have struck deeper inside, like they used to in the days when there were fewer of them. Think of some Jos Buttler hits, which haven’t conveyed the same sense of risk and reward as Asif’s but compensate by carrying the distinct sense they are at the forefront of batting’s giant leap forward.Think of the two off Mitchell Starc. The lengths were hittable, sure, though plenty of times in such cases the pace – 89mph both times here – allows a bowler to get away with the error. And if the first ball was wide enough, Starc got much tighter with the second. But at the point of impact both times, Buttler’s position was such that he could have hit them anywhere between point and long-off. Instead, hello wrists, and hello Row Z behind long-on. The mastery is in the options he made for himself because it happened in less than half a second.Buttler vs Starc: over long-on you shall go•ICCThe ones he hit against Dasun Shanaka and Lahiru Kumara in Sharjah, during his hundred, were even better. Same set-up – deep in the crease, front leg out of the way, back leg and hip primed to power through – except, this time he’s contending with a surface on which timing has been difficult all evening. And both times he’s adjusting to big drops in pace: Kumara from 88mph the same over to 61mph and late dip; Shanaka from 81mph to 62mph next ball and also late dip. Buttler holds himself an extra millisecond – a skill in itself – and snaps the wrists to lift Kumara straight and high back over him and into the stands, and Shanaka over long-on; subtly different shots, identical strand of genius behind them.One of the reasons they have registered more emphatically is because it has not been a big six-hitting tournament so far. Until the end of the West Indies-Sri Lanka group game, the tournament has seen a six hit every 26 balls, the second lowest rate since the 2009 T20 World Cup – and that’s by a hair: it could well end up the lowest. Which, given it’s the UAE, is understandable; in all T20s since the last T20 World Cup, a six has been hit there every 22.3 balls, placing it 16th among all host countries in terms of the frequency of six-hitting.

Orioles pitcher Brandon Young was four outs away from a perfect game Friday night at Daikin Park in Houston.

With two outs in the 8th inning, he did all he could to try and save his perfect game and no-hit bid on a slowly hit ground ball by Astros second baseman Ramón Urías. Young picked up the bouncing ball with his bare hand and made an off-balanced throw to first base to try and get Urías but the throw went wide and past first baseman Coby Mayo.

The play was ruled an infield single, breaking up both the perfect game and no-hitter, plus a throwing error by Young which allowed Urías to get to second.

He struck out the next batter, which ended his night as Yaramil Hiraldo came in for the ninth to close out Baltimore's 7-0 victory. Young threw eight scoreless innings on 93 pitches and 61 strikes, striking out six batters and allowing just the one costly hit.

It was a close call for what would've been the first no-hitter this season and only the 25th perfect game of all time. The last perfect game was thrown by Domingo Germán for the Yankees during the 2023 season. Before that, the previous perfect game took place more than a decade earlier when Félix Hernández accomplished the feat in '12.

Nevertheless, it was a masterful outing by Young. He made his MLB debut earlier this season and had an 0-6 record and 6.70 ERA over 10 starts heading into the night. He did throw an immaculate inning earlier in the season though, completing an inning by retiring three batters on nine straight strikes.

This certainly qualifies as a memorable first major-league win.

كشف فابريزيو رومانو، صحفي شبكة سكاي سبورتس، آخر التطورات المتعلقة بمستقبل نجم نادي برشلونة، والذي يعتبر أمر استمراره مع الفريق مجهولًا حتى الآن.

برشلونة يحاول تجديد عقود لاعبيه لفترة طويلة الأمد خلال الفترة الأخيرة، وقد نجح في القيام بذلك مع فرينكي دي يونج وجول كوندي ومارك بيرنال.

ولا يبدو أن برشلونة سوف يكتفي بتجديد عقود الثلاثي فقط، وإنما بات قريبًا من الاحتفاظ بمدافعه إريك جارسيا، خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

وأشار رومانو عبر حسابه الرسمي في “تويتر”، إلى أن جارسيا سوف يجدد عقده مع برشلونة خلال الأيام القادمة، وسوف يوقع العقد بشكل رسمي مع النادي الإسباني في الأسبوع القادم وستكون مدته خمس سنوات.

اقرأ أيضًا .. ديكو يرد على إمكانية عودة ميسي إلى برشلونة

وكان ديكو، المدير الرياضي لنادي برشلونة، قد أفاد أن جارسيا كذلك سوف يجدد عقده مع البلوجرانا، حيث قال في وقت سابق من اليوم الأربعاء: ”الأمر يتعلق بالتفاصيل النهائية، لكن إريك سيوقع عقدًا جديدًا”.

جارسيا يعتبر من بين أبناء نادي برشلونة، وقد تدرج اللاعب في الفئات السنية للنادي الإسباني، ومن ثم ذهب إلى مانشستر سيتي قبل العودة إلى برشلونة بعد ذلك.

وتغيرت مسيرة جارسيا بالكامل منذ وصول هانز فليك لتدريب الفريق مع بداية الموسم الماضي، ويستطيع اللعب في مركز قلب الدفاع والظهير الأيمن، وكذلك الارتكاز.

Quite simply, Liverpool have been a shambles in defence this season. Arne Slot’s side have a slew of problems, mounting by the matchweek, but the crux of it comes down to disorganised, error-strewn defending.

Five defeats from six Premier League games, nine losses from 12 in all competitions, successive Anfield defeats against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, seven goals shipped, this is a crisis for the Reds.

It beggars belief. And right at the struggling heart of it is Ibrahima Konate, whose future on Merseyside is very much up in the air.

Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future

It really cannot be understated how dismal Konate has been throughout the 2025/26 campaign. He has been indescribably weak in key battles, his resolve far too brittle.

Errors have littered the France international’s campaign, and Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even suggested that it has been a “sackable offence” on Slot’s part for continuing to field the 26-year-old after such consistent inconsistency.

It’s clear that the centre-back’s contractual conundrum, out of a deal next summer, has been weighing heavily on his mind, especially since Real Madrid have made their vested interest known over the past year.

However, the £70k-per-week defender has been so unconvincing that Los Blancos have ended their pursuit. Liverpool remain committed to renewing their struggling star’s deal, even with interest from further suitors sure to intensify come January.

There is surely a way back to the ascendancy for a player who served so confidently in a title-winning campaign, but with Virgil van Dijk getting old, it’s clear that FSG need to find new defenders regardless.

There’s no doubt that sporting director Richard Hughes will feel rueful after missing out on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a deal effectively in place on deadline day and the Three Lions star ready to complete his medical before the Eagles failed to source a replacement.

However, there is another who could end up succeeding Konate, though this Liverpool prospect has endured a tough start to his career at the club.

Liverpool have a teenage Konate upgrade

Liverpool’s dearth of defensive options this season have meant that Slot has been unable to drop Konate and bring in another. However, Giovanni Leoni was slated to be that man.

Leoni, 18, joined Liverpool from Serie A side Parma this summer in a £27m deal, Hughes drawn to his potential to become one of the best in the business. The Italian is powerful, dynamic and prodigiously talented on the ball, with his long and limber frame making him the perfect fit in the Premier League.

However, disaster struck on his debut in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton, when Leoni ruptured his ACL, sidelining him until the end of the season.

It was only one fixture – and against second-tier opponents at that – but Leoni showed a lot of promise for his new club, very much at place on the ball and winning four of five contested duels, including each of his three aerial battles.

It was the kind of display that proved Leoni is “one of the best young centre-backs in the world”, something noted by Liverpool reporter James Wathland as the fanbase chews on their frustration over losing such a shrewd defensive solution for the campaign.

Minutes played

81′

Touches

102

Accurate passes

88/91 (97%)

Possession lost

3x

Recoveries

3

Tackles won

0/1

Interceptions

3

Clearances

6

Ground duels

1/2

Aerial duels

3/3

Liverpool’s defenders are often tasked with initiating forward moves from the back, and while Leoni is not refined in this regard, there is undeniable promise that Slot and Liverpool’s coaching team will be developing even in the teenager’s period of convalescence.

Liverpool have a sensational defensive talent in their mix, and while fans won’t be able to witness him in action again until the latter months of 2026, they can rest assured that Leoni has what it takes to reach superstar status down the line.

This may be considered when Hughes and co weigh up Konate’s value and whether they should extend his time on Merseyside for his prime years.

Best signing since Szoboszlai: Liverpool lead race for "world-class" talent

Liverpool’s crisis has amplified noise around the need for new recruits at Anfield.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2025

A new update has emerged regarding Manchester City’s pursuit of Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning attacking midfielder Arda Guler, with Pep Guardiola’s stance made clear.

The Turk is arguably one of the most talented and exciting young attackers in Europe currently, gradually becoming more of a key man for La Liga giants Madrid.

Guler has started 10 league games so far this season, scoring three goals and bagging five assists, while Madrid legend Toni Kroos has lauded him, also discussing comparisons between the pair.

“But I don’t believe in comparisons. Arda is also a different type of player than me. His best position is much more attacking than mine, so it’s not about me succeeding him at all. But I’m generally pleased because he’s a good lad. I’ve played alongside him.

“He has a really delicate touch, which he’s already used very effectively for Real this season. That’s why I hope he continues to get consistent playing time, because that’s the only way to improve. Then I’m sure he can make his mark at Real for many years to come.”

At 20 years of age, Guler has an enormous amount of potential, and while Madrid are no doubt hesitant to allow him to leave, it looks as though he remains on City’s radar.

Guardiola wants Man City offer for Guler increased

According to a report from Spain, Manchester City are readying an offer of £88m for Guler, but that won’t be accepted by Madrid, who will demand more for his signature.

Guardiola has asked ‘whether it’s feasible to increase the offer’, though, no doubt considering him a player who he values greatly, as he looks to snap up some of the biggest young talents in the game.

The idea of Guler in a City shirt is a mouthwatering prospect, with the Turkey star someone who could fit perfectly into Guardiola’s style of play, with his technical ability right up there with the best in Europe.

Like Phil Foden, he possesses an effortless class with his left foot, being capable of drifting in off the right flank or adopting a No.10 role, while Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has lauded him.

“With his quality, he’s a mix between Ozil and Guti. Guti had that vision and finesse to link play or operate closer to goal, and with Mesut I enjoyed football so much. Arda has that something special – that natural talent you can’t teach.”

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For now, it looks as though Madrid are going to be stubborn in allowing Guler to leave the club, but City and Guardiola should continue to pursue him as a top target, given his world-class long-term potential.

Man City leading race for Rodrygo with Real Madrid future now in major doubt

The countdown to Juan Soto's free agency decision is on, and we're starting to get an idea of just how big his impending contract might be.

MLB insiders Jeff Passan and Buster Olney discussed their contract projections for Soto in a new article for ESPN. Both reporters think Soto's deal could surpass the $700 million total value Shohei Ohtani got from the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Olney said, "It's a perfect storm of bidding, and through the use of deferrals, it does not seem out of the realm of possibility that the broad strokes of his deal could be something in the range of $750 million over 15 years."

To that prediction, Passan replied, "It's an enormous number. It could include deferred money. But less than a year after Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract that shattered the previous record by nearly $275 million, Soto might exceed it."

That's a remarkable prediction that shows just how far the market may move for the 26-year-old slugger.

Soto is a massive prize, and the bidding appears to be down to the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. The winner will be getting a player on a Hall of Fame trajectory who already has four All-Star appearances, is a three-time All-MLB first-teamer, has won five Silver Slugger Awards and led the Washington Nationals to a World Series title in 2019.

In 2024 for the Yankees, Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with a career-high 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and an OPS of .989. He also racked up a career-best WAR of 7.9.

Someone will be locking up a generational hitter—but they'll pay a high price to do so.