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Father died soon after the Indian team landed in Australia, couldn’t see his son play in Tests

Sidharth Monga18-Jan-2021There is a lovely Instagram video posted by Mohammed Siraj from Virat Kohli’s birthday during this IPL. On a yacht party, he has got the DJ to play “”, a Hyderabadi song, and he is doing the most joyful uninhibited Marfa that nobody in the side can keep up with. There are team-mates leaving literally exhausted but Siraj keeps going.The Marfa dance is popular among the Hyderabadi Muslims, and has roots in Afro-Arab music. is an eponymous song performed by the then 18-year-old Ruhaan Arshad, also known as Miya Bhai. It glorifies the already celebrated lifestyle of the Hyderabadi Muslims while also having a laugh at himself and his community.Among his team-mates Siraj is known as Miya Bhai. It is a term of respect and endearment put together. is sir, is brother. The song just talks of the qualities – or, a “flex” in today’s language – of the Hyderabadi Muslims, one of which is “”. Which is, to smoke away the family wealth as a flex.Siraj wasn’t born into any family wealth. Not in the conventional sense. The wealth he inherited from his family was the strength and athleticism that he has honed tirelessly to become a fast bowler at the top level. That is not wealth you blow away.The wealth Siraj has to blow away is the raw emotion he feels when playing the cricket. It is for everyone to bask in: the joy at doing the improvised dab upon taking a wicket, the energy of his dance, the pain at being abused racially, the tears at taking a five-for. Life is too short to keep it bottled in. Or to not use the conventional wealth generated from this game to give his parents a better life, to end his father’s life as a rickshaw-driver, to buy them a house, get them to Haj, the biggest wish for a practising Muslim.It is just as well that this Miya Bhai did all that because his father didn’t live long enough to see his other dream come true: to watch his son play Test cricket for India. Life is too short. That’s what drove him to tears during the national anthem in Sydney. The kind of “good Muslim” comments that it attracted, or some of the vitriol his Instagram post generated, tells you Miya Bhai is not an identity to wear lightly in today’s India, but Siraj does it so effortlessly, as he does most other things on a cricket field.Marnus Labuschange was one of Siraj’s five wickets•Getty Images and Cricket AustraliaIn just his third Test, Siraj is the leader of the attack and now has a five-for on his first tour to Australia. It was a fraught debut because apart from Jasprit Bumrah, Indian bowlers’ recent debuts away from home haven’t led to long careers. Before Bumrah these came out of desperation either before time – Jaydev Unadkat, for example – or too late – Pankaj Singh perhaps.Bumrah was a freak who found himself at home in Test cricket despite having not played any first-class cricket in the year leading into that debut. Siraj’s case was different: he is a more conventional bowler who doesn’t have the gifts of Bumrah, which frankly very few have. He was good enough, though, to be identified as the next fast bowler, given enough A matches as experience, including in Australia. He was coming back to the coach under whom he excelled when he started playing for Hyderabad, Bharat Arun, who is actually more an angel, a , to Siraj than coach.Siraj was a nets bowler when Royal Challengers Bangalore were playing in Hyderabad. Arun was with RCB at the time. He was so impressed he pushed for Siraj where he could, and as fate would have it, he was the Hyderabad coach in the Ranji Trophy next year. Siraj was the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament that year. Whenever he is tense about something, Arun calms him down by just telling him good he is.Siraj played the whole IPL worried about his father’s health, who had a lungs condition and was in and out of the hospital. Siraj told RCB’s YouTube channel that he would break down every time he called home. If his father was out of the hospital, he would feel lighter that day and enjoy his cricket more. It was in this state that he chose to tour Australia. Then he missed his father’s funeral because going back would mean another hard quarantine upon coming back. And that would delay what his father wanted him to do: play Test cricket.1:41

Moody: Siraj has responded to adversity in the most mature way

In Test cricket, as early as his first two wickets, Siraj showed he understood what it was mostly about. And when someone so skilled and fit talks about it, it sounds ridiculously simple. Keep bowling to your field at your best pace – that got him Marnus Labuschagne caught at leg gully – and change up after you have got the batsman used to one kind of delivery – which brought him Cameron Green with an inswinger after a series of outswingers.And now some of the Miya Bhai flex comes in. “Arun sir told me, ‘.'” Basically Arun told him he just needs to repeat what he has done in domestic cricket and A cricket, and that experience is nothing.In three Tests, Siraj has lived up to all of Arun’s expectations and the reward is in the five-for and the eyes that welled up as he walked back holding the ball aloft and likely thought of his father and their struggles. Only two men have had had a better series when making their debut in Australia, and both played more Tests than Siraj’s three. Not too unlike in his Instagram comments section, there were some in the crowd who called him names, but Siraj had introduced himself to everyone, “.”Do yourself a favour, and take the ride along with him: this Miya Bhai has the skill and the endurance, and also the willingness to take you along.

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood is one of eight batters that will compete in the 2025 Home Run Derby ahead of the MLB All-Star Game.

Wood, making his first MLB All-Star appearance, will go up against Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., Braves first baseman Matt Olson, Rays infielder Junior Caminero, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz, and Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker to try to become the Home Run Derby champion and claim the $1 million prize.

There is a total prize pool of $2.5 million for the Home Run Derby, with the winner taking a $1 million prize. The runner-up will receive $500,000, and each remaining participant will then get $150,000. The player who hits the longest home run will be awarded $100,000.

Though the $1 million prize would be more than Wood's current salary, and could easily provide extra motivation for him in the competition, he hasn't expressed plans to use the money lavishly. Instead, Wood said before the Home Run Derby he would "probably go to Waffle House" if he won the prize money, per Chelsea James of .

Wood will shortly get the chance to secure some extra funds for a Waffle House trip as the Home Run Derby gets underway Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

A star-studded cast of sporting icons – including Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge – will join former England captain Rio Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw on Dec. 5. The event will pair football heavyweights with stars from other sports as the 48-team groups are revealed, with Eli Manning set to host the red-carpet arrivals the night before the ceremony.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'An unbelievable honor'

  Former England captain Rio Ferdinand will headline the on-stage proceedings, conducting the draw alongside award-winning broadcaster Samantha Johnson. The duo will guide the expanded 48-team format through its official reveal, marking a historic moment for the first World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ferdinand called the opportunity “an unbelievable honor,” saying that while his greatest memories came from performing on the pitch, taking on this role for the world’s biggest sporting showpiece is “a special responsibility.”

  “To conduct this historic draw is an unbelievable honor,” Ferdinand said in the press release. “As a player, I lived for these global stages – now I’m humbled to play a different, special role together with an incredible line-up to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Cross-sport legends join as draw assistants

  In an unprecedented multi-sport crossover, FIFA has assembled a lineup of sporting icons to assist with the draw, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady, NHL all-time leading scorer Gretzky, NBA Hall of Famer O’Neal, and New York Yankees slugger Judge. Manning will serve as the official red-carpet host for pre-draw programming, adding even more star power to the buildup.

  Gretzky emphasized the unifying power of the World Cup as it arrives in North America.

  “Soccer has a unique power to unite people from all over the world and create a positive impact, and I cannot wait to see this happening in North America next year and beyond, when we host the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup,” Gretzky said in the release. “I’m thrilled to be part of the draw that will decide the fate of the participating teams – and stir emotions across the world. This will be an unforgettable moment for me personally.”

• Getty Images Entertainment
  

  Hart and Klum also involved

  The event will be co-hosted by supermodel and Emmy-winning television personality Heidi Klum, comedian and actor Kevin Hart, and actor-producer Danny Ramirez, who will bring warmth and Hollywood flair to the ceremony. Fans will be treated to live performances by classical maestro Andrea Bocelli, global superstar Robbie Williams, and American singer Nicole Scherzinger. After the draw concludes, the iconic Village People will perform their global anthem, Y.M.C.A., adding a celebratory close to the show.

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• AFP
  

  All eyes on draw…

  The Dec. 5 ceremony marks the final major milestone before the World Cup kicks off in 2026. With a record 48 nations participating and North America hosting the biggest edition in history, FIFA aims to deliver a draw befitting the scale of the event – one that blends football tradition with global entertainment culture.

Liverpool turned a corner at the weekend, professionally defeating West Ham United at the London Stadium to arrest the shocking slump that has sent Arne Slot’s project into a spin.

However, it’s important for those of a Red persuasion not to get too excited. West Ham are hardly in good form, teetering on the edge of the Premier League relegation zone.

But there were some positives to be taken after that industrious win. Particularly, Liverpool looked sharp in attack, with Alexander Isak netting his first league goal for the Reds and Cody Gakpo notching a goal and an assist. Florian Wirtz sparkled in his creative role.

There has been talk of FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes dipping into the transfer market for a new forward in January, but if anything, the win over the Hammers and Liverpool’s abject form highlight a different area that needs attention.

Liverpool's winter transfer plans

It’s clear that Liverpool need a centre-back. Top sources have also linked the Premier League champions to prolific Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause valid from January.

However, the centre of the park appears to have been overlooked. Certainly, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have not formed a convincing partnership this season, and a tough-tackling and dynamic option could be worthwhile for a Liverpool side looking to bounce back.

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are expected to table a €60m (£53m at current exchange rates) bid for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, with the French midfielder no longer considered untouchable at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It’s understood that Los Blancos have held informal discussions about the 23-year-old’s future after an injury-affected few years, but Camavinga is one of the best in the business, and Liverpool could hit the jackpot by signing him for a comparatively affordable fee.

Why Liverpool want Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga has been at Real Madrid for most of his professional career, having left France and Rennes and joined the Spanish giants in a €40m (£34m) package back in 2021.

He’s won the full gamut, and, on an individual level, been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “a real war machine in midfield”. One of the sternest criticisms Slot’s side have faced pertains to their lack of physicality and bite in midfield this season, outduelled in most of their defeats – and there have been a whole host of losses.

Camavinga would fix that, settling into the six berth. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for successful take-ons, and the top 1% for tackles won per 90, emphasising his ball-playing quality and the gritty defensive acumen that would stabilise Slot’s sinking system.

Looking at those metrics – and more – in a different format, see how Camavinga could add more defensive solidity to the engine room when assessing his data against that of Mac Allister, whose form has plummeted this season.

Goals

0.11

0.18

Assists

0.11

0.20

Touches

76.18

63.79

Pass completion (%)

90.8

83.3

Shot-creating actions

2.44

3.80

Progressive passes

4.76

5.76

Progressive carries

1.93

1.46

Successful take-ons

1.13

0.67

Recoveries

5.72

4.65

Tackles won

2.72

1.46

Interceptions

1.25

0.91

Aerials won

1.30

0.56

But those metrics are taking across a year-long stretch, and the Argentine was among the creme-de-la-creme last year as Slot’s Reds romped their way to the title.

Semenyo might be a stellar addition to a Liverpool side who opted against a direct Luis Diaz replacement this summer, but Gakpo has held down the fort measurably well, and Rio Ngumoha, 17, was entrusted with a regular first-team role after an impressive emergence season.

Real Madrid are in a state of upheaval right now, and signing a player of Camavinga’s ilk for a decent figure won’t come around too often. Wataru Endo is scarcely used by Slot and Gravenberch and Mac Allister need proper competition.

Should Liverpool instil some French flair into their midfield in the form of Camainga, they would be sure to level up, adding the joie de vivre that has been lacking this term, and a tough-tackling presence that would ease the defence’s burden and free up the forwards to reach new heights.

Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool open surprise talks to sign "magic" £70m PL star

Liverpool are planning to strengthen their flanks after a tough start to the season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 1, 2025

The Premier League is back after a third international break in as many months. Typically, this would be a moment of great excitement for Liverpool, but recent results have laced the build-up to the next phase of action with anxiety.

But Arne Slot’s side are a distance short of emulating last season’s smooth-sailing Premier League champions. Well adrift of first-placed Arsenal after losing five of six top-flight fixtures, there can be no doubting that this is a crisis for the Reds.

But Liverpool have weathered storms before, and it certainly feels like a matter of when, not if, Liverpool will click together after a summer of sweeping change.

Slot has played down chatter of a winter bid for a centre-back. Giovanni Leoni was signed for around £27m this summer, but the former Parma defender is out for the campaign after suffering an ACL injury on his debut. Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day.

Liverpool do appear set to complete some winter business, though, with rumours regarding Antoine Semenyo’s future at Bournemouth gathering speed.

Liverpool planning for winter business

It has been confirmed by the powers that be on the transfer scene that Liverpool are interested in Semenyo, whose £65m release clause with the Cherries becomes active during the January transfer market.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed FSG’s vested interest, but Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are among the suitors too.

This would be a significant deal for the Reds, who failed to seal a direct Luis Diaz replacement this summer, but sporting director Richard Hughes’ eye falls over more than one position, with another Premier League sensation earmarked ahead of 2026.

Indeed, according to a recent report from The Times, Liverpool have entered the race for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, though they face stiff competition from Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The Tricky Trees don’t want to part with their prized player, though Evangelos Marinakis concedes that keeping him for the long run will prove difficult. Therefore, he has been listed at £100m.

Why FSG want to sign Elliot Anderson

Liverpool have a robust crop of midfield players, but Anderson’s complete and combative style suggests he might be the missing link in an engine room lacking its typical efficiency.

Forged in Newcastle’s academy, Anderson was sold to Forest in 2024 as Eddie Howe sought to ease his side’s financial worries. It would have been a rueful transfer for the 23-year-old, though he has only gone from strength to strength since the switch, and now he is a fully-fledged England international, regarded as one of the finest midfielders in his homeland.

Instrumental for Forest since the start of last season, Anderson really is the full package, strong in the duel, utterly tireless and a developing playmaker, his range of passing growing by the month.

In fact, Anderson is among the best across a number of statistical metrics this season. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of Premier League midfielders for passes attempted, progressive passes and ball recoveries, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for successful take-ons, and the top 7% for crosses completed per 90. Quite the jack of all trades.

He’s an all-rounder, alright, a real force in the middle of the park. In this, he is an echo of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, and one who is far outstripping the Argentine at the moment – and that’s not up for debate, sadly.

Matches (starts)

11 (11)

10 (9)

Goals

1

0

Assists

1

2

Touches*

94.4

45.1

Accurate passes*

62.1 (87%)

30.3 (86%)

Chances created*

1.4

0.9

Dribbles*

1.3

0.0

Ball recoveries*

8.4

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

3.5

1.6

Duels (won)*

7.5 (55%)

2.5 (45%)

The sum of Liverpool’s plight this season is greater than its individual parts, but it is hardly helping that Slot’s trusted midfield lieutenant is flattering to deceive.

While adding Semenyo to the ranks would be a positive move for Slot’s side, you have to wonder whether Liverpool need to complete such a deal. After all, the reason behind opting against a direct Diaz replacement was to ensure Rio Ngumoha has a clear pathway to consistent first-team minutes.

With Cody Gakpo also in the mix, it feels like a deal for Semenyo could run counter to that previously outlined ambition. Of course, Mohamed Salah is not getting any younger, and Semenyo is equally as dangerous on the right as he is coming off the left flank, but Semenyo would struggle to displace the Egyptian legend from the outset, and Salah is contracted to Anfield until the end of next season.

A lot for Hughes and Slot to ponder. With the need for a central defender also intense, Liverpool may struggle to pull off deals for all of these aforementioned players.

They might have to be savvy about it, and while Anderson would be the most expensive of the lot, he would also mark the most impactful addition, described as a “superstar in the making” by journalist Louis Wheeldon, with the potential to become a leading man in the Premier League over the next decade.

Diaz 2.0: Liverpool prepare £88m bid to sign "the best player in the world"

Liverpool have lacked balance and sharpness in the final third this season.

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أكد محمد الشناوي، حارس مرمى النادي الأهلي، أن الفوز ببطولة السوبر المصري، على حساب الزمالك، يمثل دفعة قوية للفريق خلال البطولات القادمة.

وفاز الأهلي على الزمالك، بنتيجة 2-0، في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، ليحصد اللقب للمرة الـ16 في تاريخ القلعة الحمراء والخامسة على التوالي.

وقال الشناوي خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أبو ظبي” الرياضية: “هذه البطولة كانت بالنسبة لنا مهمة جدًا، لكي نكمل الدوري وأمامنا إفريقيا، هذه البطولة تعطي لنا ثقة، اللاعبون كان عليهم ضغوطات كثيرة جدًا وهذا اللقب سيرفع الضغوط من على اللاعبين”.

طالع | أول تعليق من زيزو بعد التتويج مع الأهلي بـ كأس السوبر المصري أمام الزمالك

وأضاف: “الجهاز الفني الجديد هذا اللقب سيعطي له ثقة في الفترة المقبلة، هذا أهم شيء بالنسبة لنا، والسوبر المصري (وشه حلو) دائمًا علينا”.

وأتم: “بعد التتويج بالسوبر، علينا التركيز في بطولة إفريقيا والدوري خلال الفترة القادمة”.

أعرب عامر صبري، المدرب العام لفريق الزمالك عن سعادته بالفوز على بيراميدز والتأهل لنهائي كأس السوبر المصري، على حساب منافس قوي ومحترم حقق بطولات كبيرة خلال الفترة الماضية بحسب وصفه.

وفاز فريق الزمالك على نظيره بيراميدز 5-4 بركلات الترجيح في المباراة التي أقيمت على ستاد آل نهيان في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المحلي بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل السلبي، ليتأهل الأبيض لمواجهة الأهلي في المباراة النهائية.

طالع.. الزمالك يعلن حجم إصابة الدباغ وبنتايج قبل مواجهة الأهلي

وقال المدرب العام لنادي الزمالك في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي: “الجهاز الفني قام بالتحضير للمباراة بشكل جيد، وتعاملنا مع نقاط القوة والضعف بالمنافس، وحققنا الهدف المطلوب”.

وواصل عامر صبري: “المباراة النهائية سيكون لها حسابات خاصة، وسنعمل بكل قوة من أجل العودة إلى مصر بكأس السوبر”.

واختتم تصريحاته: “أشكر جماهير نادي الزمالك العظيمة على دعمهم لنا، وأطمئنهم بأنهم لديهم فريق كبير ولاعبين على أعلى مستوى، وسنعمل جميعًا على إسعادهم”.

Despite only winning one of their last six fixtures, Leeds United are in a strong position in the Premier League with double the points of 18th-place Burnley.

However, unless they get back to winning ways, they will be dragged into the relegation battle. Ahead of their clash with Tottenham, Daniel Farke spoke to the media about his team’s season and preparation for the game.

The conference came with bad news for Leeds fans, with confirmation that both Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto will be unavailable. Additionally, goalkeeper Lucas Perri is back in team training, but the game against Thomas Frank’s side comes too soon for him to be available. James is the more severe of the three injuries, with the Welshman expected to be out until after the November international break.

All three players will be big losses for Farke against Spurs. However, the Leeds boss seemed positive going into the game, due to players “stepping up when needed”. Another reason Farke may be happy is that he knows the fans will soon receive news that will bolster their spirits.

Leeds set to unveil new contract

Leeds are preparing to announce a new contract for 16-year-old talent Harry Gray. Gray is highly rated by the club and is currently developing well as a forward, having represented Leeds at youth level and once at senior level with a four-minute cameo against Stoke in the Championship. Gray has also impressed at national youth level, where he has represented the England Under-17s on five occasions, scoring once.

Journalist Graham Bailey revealed the news that Gray would imminently have a contract announcement: “Leeds are very excited with Harry Gray. His new deal is done. They’ll be announcing that next week. They are very excited by that internally, obviously.”

However, despite the new contract, it may be a while before Gray is seen in the senior team, and he almost certainly won’t face his brother Archie Gray when Leeds play Tottenham on Saturday.

Gray's route to the first team

Ahead of the season, The Athletics Beren Cross predicted Gray to be Leeds’ “breakout player”. Cross stated that Gray could start putting in performances this season despite his age and emulate strikers like Harry Kane and Michael Owen.

Despite the hype and positive contract news, Leeds fans will have to wait to see Gray’s Premier League debut, as, in his pre-match press conference, Farke confirmed that the 16-year-old was suffering a minor issue with his hip.

The other concern is that Gray plays up front and Leeds brought in two new strikers this summer, making him fourth in the pecking order behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe.

The good news for Gray is that none of these players have hit the season running, so if he continues to perform well in training and stay fit, Farke may try him up front at some stage in the season.

Even if Gray’s appearances are sporadic this season, at 16 years old, he has plenty of time ahead of him to develop and earn his place in the starting 11.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named one of his former teammates as the “worst” signing in the club’s history, branding him “so unprofessional”.

Scholes names former teammate as "worst" Man Utd signing

It would be fair to say that very few of the signings Man United have made since Sir Alex Ferguson retired have worked out, with YouTuber Adam McKola particularly critical of one of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s additions on The Overlap earlier this month.

McKola said: “I think Jadon Sancho is the worst signing Manchester United have ever made. There’s big competition for it. We spent £80m on Antony who is useless.

“For me Jadon Sancho is the biggest waste of space I’ve ever seen in a United shirt. I think he’s a disgrace and I can’t wait to see the back of him.”

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Sancho has been widely reported to rake in £300k-a-week, yet he has never managed to deliver in a United shirt, being shipped out on loan to Chelsea last season, with the west Londoners agreeing to pay a £5m penalty fee to avoid having to sign the winger permanently.

You may expect Scholes to name one of the Red Devils’ current players as their worst signing ever, off the back of finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, but the club legend believes one of his former teammates is at the top of the list. The legendary midfielder said:

Bosnich undoubtedly one of Man Utd's worst signings

Bosnich was signed as a successor to the legendary Peter Schmeichel, but the goalkeeper was unable to make the step-up, making 23 Premier League appearances in the 1999-00 season before being snubbed by Ferguson.

Fabian Barthez was ultimately brought in to replace the Australian, who ended up moving to Chelsea, and the Frenchman fared a lot better, spending three full seasons at Old Trafford and winning two Premier League titles.

While Bosnich was undoubtedly a terrible signing for Man United, it may be a little harsh to suggest he is the worst-ever, considering the goalkeeper arrived on a free transfer from Aston Villa.

Sancho, on the other hand, is widely reported to have cost £73m, which is the fourth-highest fee Man United have ever shelled out on a player, making it even more criminal the 25-year-old mustered up just 12 goals and six assists in 83 matches.