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Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test series: Sarfaraz named head coach; four uncapped players included in squad  Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been named head coach of the Pakistan Test team as selectors named four uncapped players on Saturday for next month’s two-Test series in Bangladesh.Sarfaraz, who won the Champions Trophy in 2017, retired from international cricket last month. The Pakistan Cricket Board also appointed former Test batter Asad Shafiq as the new batting coach while Umar Gul will be bowling coach.Left-handed batter Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test team with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq the other experienced batters in the side.Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Mohammad Ghazi Ghori are the four uncapped players in the Test side.ALSO READ: Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha considering break from T20 format to focus on 2027 ODI World CupFazal and Awais are both left-handed batters and have been rewarded after impressing the selectors in domestic cricket. Butt, who made his first-class debut in 2015, is a seasoned all-rounder and carries over a decade of playing in domestic cricket.The first Test will be played in Dhaka from May 8-12 with Sylhet hosting the second Test from May 16-20.The series is part of World Test Championship (WTC) where Pakistan stands at No. 5 after drawing the home series against South Africa 1-1 last October.Bangladesh lost its opening WTC series in Sri Lanka 1-0 and is eighth in nine-team even.Pakistan squad:Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah AfridiPublished on Apr 18, 2026  #Bangladesh #Pakistan #Test #series #Sarfaraz #named #coach #uncapped #players #included #squad

Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test series: Sarfaraz named head coach; four uncapped players included in squad

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been named head coach of the Pakistan Test team as selectors named four uncapped players on Saturday for next month’s two-Test series in Bangladesh.

Sarfaraz, who won the Champions Trophy in 2017, retired from international cricket last month. The Pakistan Cricket Board also appointed former Test batter Asad Shafiq as the new batting coach while Umar Gul will be bowling coach.

Left-handed batter Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test team with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq the other experienced batters in the side.

Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Mohammad Ghazi Ghori are the four uncapped players in the Test side.

ALSO READ: Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha considering break from T20 format to focus on 2027 ODI World Cup

Fazal and Awais are both left-handed batters and have been rewarded after impressing the selectors in domestic cricket. Butt, who made his first-class debut in 2015, is a seasoned all-rounder and carries over a decade of playing in domestic cricket.

The first Test will be played in Dhaka from May 8-12 with Sylhet hosting the second Test from May 16-20.

The series is part of World Test Championship (WTC) where Pakistan stands at No. 5 after drawing the home series against South Africa 1-1 last October.

Bangladesh lost its opening WTC series in Sri Lanka 1-0 and is eighth in nine-team even.

Pakistan squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#Bangladesh #Pakistan #Test #series #Sarfaraz #named #coach #uncapped #players #included #squad

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been named head coach of the Pakistan Test team as selectors named four uncapped players on Saturday for next month’s two-Test series in Bangladesh.

Sarfaraz, who won the Champions Trophy in 2017, retired from international cricket last month. The Pakistan Cricket Board also appointed former Test batter Asad Shafiq as the new batting coach while Umar Gul will be bowling coach.

Left-handed batter Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test team with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq the other experienced batters in the side.

Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Mohammad Ghazi Ghori are the four uncapped players in the Test side.

ALSO READ: Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha considering break from T20 format to focus on 2027 ODI World Cup

Fazal and Awais are both left-handed batters and have been rewarded after impressing the selectors in domestic cricket. Butt, who made his first-class debut in 2015, is a seasoned all-rounder and carries over a decade of playing in domestic cricket.

The first Test will be played in Dhaka from May 8-12 with Sylhet hosting the second Test from May 16-20.

The series is part of World Test Championship (WTC) where Pakistan stands at No. 5 after drawing the home series against South Africa 1-1 last October.

Bangladesh lost its opening WTC series in Sri Lanka 1-0 and is eighth in nine-team even.

Pakistan squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Published on Apr 18, 2026

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#Bangladesh #Pakistan #Test #series #Sarfaraz #named #coach #uncapped #players #included #squad

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Deadspin | Emmanuel Sabbi, Whitecaps cruise to victory over Sporting KC <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28755394.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28755394.jpg" alt="MLS: Sporting Kansas City at Vancouver Whitecaps FC" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 17, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Thomas Muller (13) celebrates scoring with defender Mathias Laborda (2) during the first half against the Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Emmanuel Sabbi scored one goal and assisted on another as the Vancouver Whitecaps continued the best start in club history with a dominant 3-0 victory over visiting Sporting Kansas City on Friday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Bruno Caicedo added his first MLS goal in the 21-year-old’s third appearance — and first start — in the league as the Whitecaps raced out to their three-goal lead by the half-hour mark.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Thomas Muller added his fourth goal of the season for Vancouver (7-1-0, 21 points), which has played all but one of its first eight league matches at home while building an exceptional +18 goal differential.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Whitecaps will have one more home game on April 25 against the Colorado Rapids. Then they will play eight straight on the road while BC Place is prepped and used as a 2026 World Cup venue.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Kansas City (1-6-1, 4 points) lost its fourth straight in MLS and fifth straight overall. Manager Raphael Wicky’s Sporting squad have been outscored 13-3 combined in those four league defeats.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Vancouver outshot Kansas City 25-3 and led 6-1 in efforts on target in a game that quickly tilted in the hosts’ favor.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Sabbi scored in the 13th minute on an attack that began when Vancouver intercepted a Kansas City goal kick at midfield.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Eventually it was White who got into the right side of the penalty area and chipped it over charging goalkeeper John Pulskamp but not into the net.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The ball arrived to Vancouver’s Mathias Laborda on the opposite post, who couldn’t direct an effort goal-bound under defensive pressure. Sabbi cleaned up the loose ball with a finish through the scrambling SKC defense, off a defender, off the crossbar and in.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Caicedo created the second goal in the 23rd minute. He snuck up field and intercepted Cielo Tschantret’s ill-advised square pass, then finished low from the edge of the area off the inside of the far right post.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Another long clearance intercepted at midfield led to the hosts making it 3-0 in the 28th minute.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>This time it was Sabbi providing the service from the right wing after doing excellent work to keep the ball in play. His outswinging ball fell at the back post for Muller, who headed it firmly past the flailing Pulskamp.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Emmanuel #Sabbi #Whitecaps #cruise #victory #Sporting

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Deadspin | Nicolas Roy’s OT tally gives Avalanche 2-0 advantage over Kings  Apr 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) makes a save against Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere (14) in the first period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Nicolas Roy scored at 7:44 of overtime to lift Colorado to a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in Denver, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 lead in a Western Conference first-round playoff series.  Roy got to a loose puck in the slot and shot it through the legs of Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke and past goalie Anton Forsberg for the win.  Game 3 will be played Thursday night in Los Angeles.  Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal late in regulation and Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves for the Avalanche, who won the series opener 2-1 on Sunday.  During the regular season, Wedgewood led the NHL in goals-against average (2.02) and save percentage (.921).  Anton Forsberg made 34 saves for the Kings in his second career postseason start, both in the current series. He has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his past nine starts.  Neither team scored until the final seven minutes of the third period.   The Kings were on a power play when Trevor Moore brought the puck along the goal line before making a backhand pass to Panarin just above the left hashmarks. Panarin had time to gather the puck before shooting it into the net for a 1-0 lead at 13:04.  The Avalanche tied it with 3:35 left in regulation.  Devon Toews made a diagonal pass from above the left point to Martin Necas on the opposite goal line. Necas passed the puck back through the top of the crease to Landeskog, who was cutting to the net, and he scored with a one-timer.  Kings forward Quinton Byfield was hooked by Cale Makar on a short-handed breakaway at 3:12 of the second period, resulting in a penalty shot, but Wedgewood made a lunching glove save to keep the game scoreless.  During the penalty, fans broke the glass behind the Los Angeles bench, causing shards to fall on Kings interim coach D.J. Smith. Play was halted for 19 minutes as the glass was cleaned up and replaced.  The Avalanche briefly celebrated nine seconds into the third period after defenseman Sam Malinski took a one-timer from the left point that hit the net, but replays showed the puck had stuck in the net on the outside of the left post.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Nicolas #Roys #tally #Avalanche #advantage #KingsApr 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) makes a save against Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere (14) in the first period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Nicolas Roy scored at 7:44 of overtime to lift Colorado to a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in Denver, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 lead in a Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Roy got to a loose puck in the slot and shot it through the legs of Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke and past goalie Anton Forsberg for the win.

Game 3 will be played Thursday night in Los Angeles.

Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal late in regulation and Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves for the Avalanche, who won the series opener 2-1 on Sunday.

During the regular season, Wedgewood led the NHL in goals-against average (2.02) and save percentage (.921).

Anton Forsberg made 34 saves for the Kings in his second career postseason start, both in the current series. He has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his past nine starts.


Neither team scored until the final seven minutes of the third period.

The Kings were on a power play when Trevor Moore brought the puck along the goal line before making a backhand pass to Panarin just above the left hashmarks. Panarin had time to gather the puck before shooting it into the net for a 1-0 lead at 13:04.

The Avalanche tied it with 3:35 left in regulation.

Devon Toews made a diagonal pass from above the left point to Martin Necas on the opposite goal line. Necas passed the puck back through the top of the crease to Landeskog, who was cutting to the net, and he scored with a one-timer.

Kings forward Quinton Byfield was hooked by Cale Makar on a short-handed breakaway at 3:12 of the second period, resulting in a penalty shot, but Wedgewood made a lunching glove save to keep the game scoreless.

During the penalty, fans broke the glass behind the Los Angeles bench, causing shards to fall on Kings interim coach D.J. Smith. Play was halted for 19 minutes as the glass was cleaned up and replaced.

The Avalanche briefly celebrated nine seconds into the third period after defenseman Sam Malinski took a one-timer from the left point that hit the net, but replays showed the puck had stuck in the net on the outside of the left post.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nicolas #Roys #tally #Avalanche #advantage #Kings">Deadspin | Nicolas Roy’s OT tally gives Avalanche 2-0 advantage over Kings  Apr 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) makes a save against Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere (14) in the first period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Nicolas Roy scored at 7:44 of overtime to lift Colorado to a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in Denver, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 lead in a Western Conference first-round playoff series.  Roy got to a loose puck in the slot and shot it through the legs of Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke and past goalie Anton Forsberg for the win.  Game 3 will be played Thursday night in Los Angeles.  Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal late in regulation and Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves for the Avalanche, who won the series opener 2-1 on Sunday.  During the regular season, Wedgewood led the NHL in goals-against average (2.02) and save percentage (.921).  Anton Forsberg made 34 saves for the Kings in his second career postseason start, both in the current series. He has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his past nine starts.  Neither team scored until the final seven minutes of the third period.   The Kings were on a power play when Trevor Moore brought the puck along the goal line before making a backhand pass to Panarin just above the left hashmarks. Panarin had time to gather the puck before shooting it into the net for a 1-0 lead at 13:04.  The Avalanche tied it with 3:35 left in regulation.  Devon Toews made a diagonal pass from above the left point to Martin Necas on the opposite goal line. Necas passed the puck back through the top of the crease to Landeskog, who was cutting to the net, and he scored with a one-timer.  Kings forward Quinton Byfield was hooked by Cale Makar on a short-handed breakaway at 3:12 of the second period, resulting in a penalty shot, but Wedgewood made a lunching glove save to keep the game scoreless.  During the penalty, fans broke the glass behind the Los Angeles bench, causing shards to fall on Kings interim coach D.J. Smith. Play was halted for 19 minutes as the glass was cleaned up and replaced.  The Avalanche briefly celebrated nine seconds into the third period after defenseman Sam Malinski took a one-timer from the left point that hit the net, but replays showed the puck had stuck in the net on the outside of the left post.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Nicolas #Roys #tally #Avalanche #advantage #Kings

Ever since being an integral member of India’s T20 World Cup title defence, Tilak Varma had endured a quiet run in the Indian Premier League. On Wednesday, however, after rediscovering his touch and helping Mumbai Indians snap a four-match losing streak, Tilak offered a glimpse into the contrasting captaincy styles he has experienced this season.

“To be honest, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav, India captain) was a bit tactical. And Hardik bhai (Pandya), he always backs the players and himself. If you see the last game, he was saying ‘you will do it, you will do it’ and show it,” Tilak said ahead of MI’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.

“Many people have asked me what Hardik was talking to you. He keeps motivating the players. He motivates the players with his energy. Hardik bhai’s captaincy is the same. It’s kind of that energy. And Surya bhai is more into the tactical side. So, both are good in their aspects. And I am enjoying Surya bhai’s captaincy and I am enjoying Hardik bhai’s captaincy as well.”

Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance

Tilak’s words came on the back of a defining knock in Ahmedabad, where he hammered an unbeaten 101 off 47 balls — an innings that turned the tide after a slow start of 19 off 22 deliveries.

He credited Rohit Sharma for helping him navigate the early phase. “I was talking especially with Rohit Bhai. He was saying to me that, we know and everyone knows what you can do after playing those 15-20 balls, so just do this,” Tilak said.

“Don’t look at the situation. Don’t look at anything. First, play 15 balls. And after that, whatever happens, we’ll see. That gave me confidence.”

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#IPL #Hardik #Pandya #motives #players #energy #Tilak #Varma">IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya motives players with his energy, says Tilak Varma  Ever since being an integral member of India’s T20 World Cup title defence, Tilak Varma had endured a quiet run in the Indian Premier League. On Wednesday, however, after rediscovering his touch and helping Mumbai Indians snap a four-match losing streak, Tilak offered a glimpse into the contrasting captaincy styles he has experienced this season.“To be honest, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav, India captain) was a bit tactical. And Hardik bhai (Pandya), he always backs the players and himself. If you see the last game, he was saying ‘you will do it, you will do it’ and show it,” Tilak said ahead of MI’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.“Many people have asked me what Hardik was talking to you. He keeps motivating the players. He motivates the players with his energy. Hardik bhai’s captaincy is the same. It’s kind of that energy. And Surya bhai is more into the tactical side. So, both are good in their aspects. And I am enjoying Surya bhai’s captaincy and I am enjoying Hardik bhai’s captaincy as well.”Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevanceTilak’s words came on the back of a defining knock in Ahmedabad, where he hammered an unbeaten 101 off 47 balls — an innings that turned the tide after a slow start of 19 off 22 deliveries.He credited Rohit Sharma for helping him navigate the early phase. “I was talking especially with Rohit Bhai. He was saying to me that, we know and everyone knows what you can do after playing those 15-20 balls, so just do this,” Tilak said.“Don’t look at the situation. Don’t look at anything. First, play 15 balls. And after that, whatever happens, we’ll see. That gave me confidence.”Published on Apr 22, 2026  #IPL #Hardik #Pandya #motives #players #energy #Tilak #Varma

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance

Tilak’s words came on the back of a defining knock in Ahmedabad, where he hammered an unbeaten 101 off 47 balls — an innings that turned the tide after a slow start of 19 off 22 deliveries.

He credited Rohit Sharma for helping him navigate the early phase. “I was talking especially with Rohit Bhai. He was saying to me that, we know and everyone knows what you can do after playing those 15-20 balls, so just do this,” Tilak said.

“Don’t look at the situation. Don’t look at anything. First, play 15 balls. And after that, whatever happens, we’ll see. That gave me confidence.”

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#IPL #Hardik #Pandya #motives #players #energy #Tilak #Varma">IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya motives players with his energy, says Tilak Varma

Ever since being an integral member of India’s T20 World Cup title defence, Tilak Varma had endured a quiet run in the Indian Premier League. On Wednesday, however, after rediscovering his touch and helping Mumbai Indians snap a four-match losing streak, Tilak offered a glimpse into the contrasting captaincy styles he has experienced this season.

“To be honest, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav, India captain) was a bit tactical. And Hardik bhai (Pandya), he always backs the players and himself. If you see the last game, he was saying ‘you will do it, you will do it’ and show it,” Tilak said ahead of MI’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.

“Many people have asked me what Hardik was talking to you. He keeps motivating the players. He motivates the players with his energy. Hardik bhai’s captaincy is the same. It’s kind of that energy. And Surya bhai is more into the tactical side. So, both are good in their aspects. And I am enjoying Surya bhai’s captaincy and I am enjoying Hardik bhai’s captaincy as well.”

Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance

Tilak’s words came on the back of a defining knock in Ahmedabad, where he hammered an unbeaten 101 off 47 balls — an innings that turned the tide after a slow start of 19 off 22 deliveries.

He credited Rohit Sharma for helping him navigate the early phase. “I was talking especially with Rohit Bhai. He was saying to me that, we know and everyone knows what you can do after playing those 15-20 balls, so just do this,” Tilak said.

“Don’t look at the situation. Don’t look at anything. First, play 15 balls. And after that, whatever happens, we’ll see. That gave me confidence.”

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#IPL #Hardik #Pandya #motives #players #energy #Tilak #Varma

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