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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 | Saints WR Ja’Lynn Polk, 24, placed on retired list  Aug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) runs the ball during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images   The New Orleans Saints placed 24-year-old wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday.  A reason for Polk’s decision to retire was not yet known. Head coach Kellen Moore said Polk had been excused from the past two training camp practices for personal reasons. The receiver’s Instagram account also appeared to be deactivated or removed as of Sunday evening.  Polk was the 37th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. As a rookie, Polk played in 15 games, making seven starts, and totaled 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns.   He did not play in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. While Polk was on injured reserve in September, the Patriots traded him to the Saints along with a 2028 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Saints #JaLynn #Polk #retired #listAug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) runs the ball during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints placed 24-year-old wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday.

A reason for Polk’s decision to retire was not yet known. Head coach Kellen Moore said Polk had been excused from the past two training camp practices for personal reasons. The receiver’s Instagram account also appeared to be deactivated or removed as of Sunday evening.


Polk was the 37th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. As a rookie, Polk played in 15 games, making seven starts, and totaled 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

He did not play in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. While Polk was on injured reserve in September, the Patriots traded him to the Saints along with a 2028 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Saints #JaLynn #Polk #retired #list">Deadspin | Saints WR Ja’Lynn Polk, 24, placed on retired list  Aug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) runs the ball during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images   The New Orleans Saints placed 24-year-old wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday.  A reason for Polk’s decision to retire was not yet known. Head coach Kellen Moore said Polk had been excused from the past two training camp practices for personal reasons. The receiver’s Instagram account also appeared to be deactivated or removed as of Sunday evening.  Polk was the 37th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. As a rookie, Polk played in 15 games, making seven starts, and totaled 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns.   He did not play in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. While Polk was on injured reserve in September, the Patriots traded him to the Saints along with a 2028 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Saints #JaLynn #Polk #retired #list

It’s Sydney Taylor, the 25-year-old Chicago Sky guard who is amid a ridiculous offensive explosion that reached its pinnacle on Saturday afternoon.

Taylor is averaging 14.7 points and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 45.5% from the field and 34.8% from three. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, and the bright spot for a Sky season that has come with its fair share of disappointments, headlined by an early-season Rickea Jackson ACL tear.

On Saturday, Taylor recorded her brightest moment as a pro, hitting a game-winning three-pointer over the Las Vegas Aces in a 29-point performance. That marked her fifth 25-point game of the season, and her latest offensive masterclass in her first pro season.

Taylor has been trending upwards as the season has progressed; she’s scored at least 14 points in every game since July 7th. She’s averaging 18.4 points on 47.3% shooting — and 39.3% from three — in 16 games as a starter this season.

The Sky have struggled — they’re 11-18 and out of the playoff picture — but Taylor has helped keep them in games all season long. Somehow, the undrafted rookie is the leading scorer on the roster. On Saturday, she carried them to perhaps their most impressive win of the season.

Sydney Taylor appears to be a shoo-in for First Team All-Rookie

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles likely has Rookie of the Year locked up. Miles, who was drafted second overall, is averaging 19.4 points and 5.8 assists, while powering the Lynx ot the best record in the league.

But after her, it’s Taylor who is the second-leading scorer among rookies — not No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd (who has been fantastic) nor other top performers like Seattle Storm rookies Flau’jae Johnson and Awa Fam. As such, it seems very likely that she’ll be one of the five players named to the All-Rookie First Team (Miles, Fudd, Johnson, and Fam all seem like likely candidates, too, though New York Liberty guard Pauline Austier makes a strong case as well).

In 2021, Taylor played just 6 minutes per game at UMass. But she played out a four-year career there, establishing herself as an elite scorer before transferring to Louisville for a fifth season. The Sky signed her ahead of the season, and she’s now one of the most promising parts of their future.

She’s also one of the best rookies in the class, and a legitimate candidate for Rookie of the Year.

#undrafted #WNBA #rookie #legitimate #Rookie #Year #candidate">An undrafted WNBA rookie is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate  A star has been born in Chicago, and it’s an undrafted rookie who was just a few years ago getting DNPs at UMass Amherst.It’s Sydney Taylor, the 25-year-old Chicago Sky guard who is amid a ridiculous offensive explosion that reached its pinnacle on Saturday afternoon.Taylor is averaging 14.7 points and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 45.5% from the field and 34.8% from three. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, and the bright spot for a Sky season that has come with its fair share of disappointments, headlined by an early-season Rickea Jackson ACL tear.On Saturday, Taylor recorded her brightest moment as a pro, hitting a game-winning three-pointer over the Las Vegas Aces in a 29-point performance. That marked her fifth 25-point game of the season, and her latest offensive masterclass in her first pro season.Taylor has been trending upwards as the season has progressed; she’s scored at least 14 points in every game since July 7th. She’s averaging 18.4 points on 47.3% shooting — and 39.3% from three — in 16 games as a starter this season.The Sky have struggled — they’re 11-18 and out of the playoff picture — but Taylor has helped keep them in games all season long. Somehow, the undrafted rookie is the leading scorer on the roster. On Saturday, she carried them to perhaps their most impressive win of the season.Sydney Taylor appears to be a shoo-in for First Team All-Rookie Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles likely has Rookie of the Year locked up. Miles, who was drafted second overall, is averaging 19.4 points and 5.8 assists, while powering the Lynx ot the best record in the league.But after her, it’s Taylor who is the second-leading scorer among rookies — not No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd (who has been fantastic) nor other top performers like Seattle Storm rookies Flau’jae Johnson and Awa Fam. As such, it seems very likely that she’ll be one of the five players named to the All-Rookie First Team (Miles, Fudd, Johnson, and Fam all seem like likely candidates, too, though New York Liberty guard Pauline Austier makes a strong case as well).In 2021, Taylor played just 6 minutes per game at UMass. But she played out a four-year career there, establishing herself as an elite scorer before transferring to Louisville for a fifth season. The Sky signed her ahead of the season, and she’s now one of the most promising parts of their future.She’s also one of the best rookies in the class, and a legitimate candidate for Rookie of the Year.  #undrafted #WNBA #rookie #legitimate #Rookie #Year #candidate

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