'Too much flow mi bull!' – Mason Greenwood leaves Getafe team-mate stunned with wardrobe flexing as Man Utd loanee also shares image from date night with Harriet Robson

Mason Greenwood’s wardrobe flexing impresses Getafe colleagues, with the Manchester United loanee enjoying a night out with partner Harriet Robson.

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Forward taking in Spanish loan spellHas impressed on the fieldIs also catching the eye off the pitchGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old forward is currently in Spain for the 2023-24 campaign. The one-cap England international is getting his career back on track after sitting out over 18 months following his arrest on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour. Those charges were dropped in February 2023.

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Greenwood has been catching the eye on the field at Getafe, registering eight goals and five assists, and is expected to complete a permanent transfer away from Old Trafford in the next window – with the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid said to be among his many suitors.

DID YOU KNOW?

Greenwood is also making an impression off the pitch, with his collection of clothes and trainers leaving Getafe team-mates stunned. After sharing photos on Instagram, Getafe defender Juanito Iglesias said: “Too much flow mi bull!”

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WHAT NEXT?

Greenwood has been taking the opportunity to relax away from his playing commitments, as questions continue to be asked of his long-term future, with a date night being enjoyed with girlfriend Robson – who is the mother of his eight-month-old daughter.

Adam Milne and Marcus Stoinis lead Kent's rout of Hampshire

Adam Milne and Marcus Stoinis spearheaded Kent’s attack as they bowled Hampshire out for 88 in a demolition at the Ageas Bowl

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2018
ScorecardAdam Milne and Marcus Stoinis spearheaded Kent’s attack as they bowled Hampshire out for 88 in a demolition at the Ageas Bowl.Fast bowling duo Milne and Stoinis grabbed seven wickets between them to send Kent back to the top of the South Group of the Vitality Blast – after Somerset had temporarily overtaken them earlier on Friday.Stoinis ended with figures of four for 17 while Milne celebrated three for 14 in the 51-run thrashing.Heino Kuhn’s 29, alongside Stoinis’ 26 and Calum Haggett’s quickfire 19, had lifted Kent to what still seemed a below-par score.But needing 140 to win, Hampshire’s chase began with a wobble losing their first three wickets for seven runs, inside 14 balls, and continued on a downward curve.Milne was the chief early destroyer as he pocketed two scalps in two balls to see off James Vince and Sam Northeast.Skipper Vince slashing a drive straight to Joe Denly at cover, before former Kent star Northeast was comprehensively bowled by the New Zealander.Australian Stoinis then grabbed the attention of the over 7,000 strong Ageas Bowl crowd, by finding the outside edge of Colin Munro’s bat – the opening batsman ending his stint at Hampshire with a disappointing six.Rilee Rossouw and Tom Alsop were the next to fall, leaving Hampshire 20 for five, both collected by Stoinis. Liam Dawson and Joe Weatherley attempted to rebuild with a steady 22 stand for the sixth wicket.But the collapse resumed when Weatherley spliced to cover, where Denly produced a Superman-like effort to swoop inches off the ground.Kyle Abbott was dropped on a duck by Alex Blake, and by Sean Dickson on 10, but ran out of lives when he toed a flat-back shot to Kuhn at mid-off.By the time Dawson was caught at deep square-leg, handing Stoinis his fourth wicket, the game had already petered out as a contest.Denly bowled Chris Wood before pinning Mujeeb Ur Rahman as Hampshire were put out of their misery with 23 balls to spare, for their second lowest Twenty20 score of all-time.Sam Billings had earlier won the toss and elected to bat first on a good, quicker than, track in lovely south coast heat and clear skies.A running theme of the Kent innings would be a case of batsmen getting in with a few boundaries before getting out as they set an underwhelming, yet ultimately enough, 139 for 7.Daniel Bell-Drummond started the trend by stroking Abbott through the covers before he was pinned by a low full-toss.Fast bowler Abbott was making his first appearance in the competition since early July, where he had been taken for 95-runs in 7.2 overs, but looked rejuvenated when he found Denly skying to point for his second wicket.Billings followed up his unbeaten 56 against Essex the previous night with a well-timed drive to get off the mark, only to falling into the curse and top edge a sweep to deep square leg.The wicket was Dawson’s first in a misery spin partnership with Ur Rahman – the pair’s eight overs going at three for 43.Dawson bagged his second when he bowled Kuhn, who top scored with 29, with a top-spinner, before Ur Rahman followed up with a wonderfully delivered googly as Blake was stumped.Stoinis kept the innings ticking with 26 off 25 but he and Sean Dickson both mis-timed attempted pull shots into deep mid-wicket.Kent had stuttered their way over 100, but Calum Haggett bumped up the score up to 139 with a 19 from nine ball cameo – which saw him smash the only maximum of the innings straight down the ground.

Transfer news: Rangers have looked at move to sign teenage attacker

Glasgow Rangers have been credited with an interest in bringing a new teenage forward to Ibrox, but a fresh report has revealed that he’s currently on trial with another one of his admirers.

What Rangers players are going out of contract?

The Light Blues will have seven of their squad members out of contract at the end of the season in the form of John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Jon McLaughlin and Leon Balogun, as well as Abdallah Sima who is only on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion (Rangers contracts).

Therefore, new manager Philippe Clement may soon have to make a decision over their futures, and it’s believed that Barisic has already been offered a new two-year deal, whilst Ross McCausland will also get the chance to commit his long-term future to the Scottish Premiership outfit.

The Ibrox side may, as a result, have room to make more fresh additions next year should a lot of those stars leave upon the expiration of their current terms, and one player that the boss has set his sights on is Sunderland striker Mason Cotcher, who is a regular feature of the club’s academy at the Stadium of Light.

However, England’s youth international is yet to make his senior debut under Tony Mowbray, so he knows that he might need to move elsewhere should he want to be given the opportunity to break into the first-team fold, with the 17-year-old emerging as a target for the hierarchy north of the border.

Mason Cotcher transfer update

According to The Sunderland Echo, offering a transfer update on Mason Cotcher, Rangers, Brighton and Arsenal are all set to compete to secure the services of the centre-forward, who recently played for the Gunners.

Eyebrows were raised among Sunderland fans after the youngster featured for Arsenal's under-18s this week, suggesting firm interest from the Premier League outfit. Cotcher featured for Arsenal's youth side on Teesside against Middlesbrough last Saturday in the under-18s Premier League Cup competition.

"The Echo also understands that Scottish giants Rangers and Arsenal's Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion have also looked at the youngster ahead of a potential move. It remains to be seen if Arsenal, Rangers or Brighton will advance their interest in Cotcher.”

Glasgow Rangers' home stadium, Ibrox.

How many goals has Mason Cotcher scored?

Since the start of his career, Cotcher has posted ten involvements, nine goals and one assist, in 27 appearances which shows how prolific he can be in the final third (Transfermarkt – Cotcher stats), so should he put pen to paper in the near future, he could be a fantastic acquisition for Rangers.

In the northeast, Clement’s target is also a versatile operator having been deployed in four different positions over the grass since first bursting onto the professional scene, including everywhere across the frontline and even slightly deeper in the midfield, which will be yet another attractive attribute to chiefs.

Finally, Cotcher has started to make a name for himself on the international stage having made his first two appearances for England’s U17s at the beginning of this year, so he may well be a star in the making, and it could be a real coup if the club could beat their fellow competitors to his signature.

Revealed: Jorge Jesus tried to teach Neymar how to take penalties in Al-Hilal training session – prompting hilarious response from Brazilian superstar

Al-Hilal star Michael has revealed Neymar’s hilarious response to head coach Jorge Jesus offering to teach him how to take penalties.

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South American moved to Saudi in 2023Currently nursing serious knee injuryHead coach is popular among playersWHAT HAPPENED?

Brazilian superstar Neymar has endured a tough time since leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabia, with a serious knee ligament injury keeping him sidelined at present. The 32-year-old forward is, however, always happy to have a laugh and a joke away from the field.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT MICHAEL SAID ABOUT NEYMAR

He left club colleagues in stitches after seeing veteran boss Jesus try to offer advice on the art of penalty taking. Michael has told of that interaction between his fellow countryman and a Portuguese tactician: “Sometimes Jorge Jesus comes out of his box, and he's very funny. Nobody can say anything to him because he's so funny. There are times when he jokes and we say: 'He's not the same person who was complaining to us'. Once, the manager said to Neymar: 'I'm going to teach you how to take penalties'. Neymar had taken a penalty before, I think in a Brazilian team game, and he [Jesus] said he was going to teach him. Neymar took the penalty and said: 'Do you want to teach the priest how to say mass? I'll only miss a penalty when I want', it was all in fun. Whoever was there laughed a lot, he's very funny, but he always wants to help. You know that grandfather or father who, in his head, understands that he needs to help you with your life and the future? It’s Jorge Jesus!”

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Former Sporting and Flamengo boss Jesus returned to Al-Hilal for a second spell in July 2023. Michael added on working with a proven winner: “The 'old man' is wonderful! As a coach, we know what he's like. As a human being, he is incredible. He always wants to win and gives us that motivation to always want and fight to win. On the other hand, he is also like a father, a friend, a brother. He knows how to share this relationship. There are moments when it's Jorge with the experience of life and everything. Afterwards, he also knows how to reconcile with the coach Jorge Jesus who has to help the players, help the team to win, to work. I was happy to have worked with him a while ago [at Flamengo, in 2020], but God was so good to me that he gave me the opportunity to work with him again, learn more and evolve a lot.”

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Al-Hilal sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr after going unbeaten through 24 fixtures in the 2023-24 campaign. It remains to be seen when Neymar, who signed a two-year contract upon his arrival in the Middle East, will be cleared to play again.

'Another one' – USMNT star Christian Pulisic celebrates third-straight CONCACAF Nations League title with beer goggles in team locker room postgame

Christian Pulisic celebrated his third successive CONCACAF Nations League title by wearing beer goggles in the dressing room.

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Pulisic celebrated USMNT win by wearing beer gogglesUSMNT beat Mexico 2-0 to win CONCACAF Nations LeagueReyna and Adams were on target for the teamWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States men's national team lifted the CONCACAF Nations League title for a third consecutive time on Sunday by beating Mexico 2-0 courtesy of goals from skipper Tyler Adams and Borussia Dortmund loanee Giovanni Reyna.

After the historic win at AT&T Stadium in Texas, AC Milan and USMNT star Pulisic celebrated the triumph by wearing beer goggles and a drink in his hand in the locker room.

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It was a special occasion for Reyna and Adams who had gone through a tough phase in the past 12 months. While Adams returned from a serious injury, Reyna failed to blossom at Dortmund, having scored just twice in almost a year. In the January transfer window, the attacker was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest.

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Reyna now has five goal contributions in three finals for the USMNT, two more than any other player in the team's history. His impressive performance throughout the competition earned him the prestigious Golden Ball award.

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The newly crowned CONCACAF Nations League winners will now shift focus to Copa America 2024 which will be hosted on their home soil. They will face Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in the group stage.

Leeds in danger of landing Orta 2.0 as they eye up 39 y/o sporting director

An update has emerged on Leeds United and their search to find a long-term successor to former sporting director Victor Orta at Elland Road.

Leeds' interest in Stuart Webber

The Sun have reported that the club are keen on a deal to sign Norwich City chief Stuart Webber, who is on his way out of the Championship side.

It was claimed that he could leave Carrow Road within the next fortnight but Norfolk media have confirmed that the 39-year-old will remain in post until the end of November, when Ben Knapper is due to replace him.

Norwich chief Stuart Webber.

This suggests that the 49ers could swoop for him well ahead of January, if he leaves before December, although The Sun's article does mention that Scottish giants Rangers are also interested in his services.

Nick Hammond was appointed on a short-term deal to assist with the summer transfer window as the Whites swooped to make a number of signings to the first-team squad.

Joel Piroe, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Glen Kamara, Karl Darlow, Jaidon Anthony, Sam Byram, Ilia Gruev, and Ethan Ampadu all arrived either on loan or permanently.

However, they now appear to be looking at Webber as the long-term replacement for Orta but the 49ers are in danger of finding the next version of the Spanish chief, who was relieved of his duties earlier this year.

Orta's most-expensive Leeds signings

The now-Sevilla sporting director did not enjoy the best of success when splashing the cash to secure big signings in an attempt to push the club forward.

Brenden Aaronson

£28.6m

Rodrigo

£26.1m

Dan James

£25.4m

Georginio Rutter

£24.4m

Luis Sinisterra

£21.8m

As you can see from the table above, Orta's biggest additions during his time at Elland Road were not resounding successes on the pitch for the Whites.

Aaronson is currently valued at £15.7m by Transfermarkt and is on loan at Union Berlin, Rodrigo left to join Al-Rayyan for £3m upon relegation, and James is valued at £10.4m.

Sinisterra is also now worth £17.4m and is out on loan with Bournemouth in the Premier League, whilst Rutter is valued at £15.7m. Although, the latter has at least made himself a star this season with two goals and 14 'big chances' created in 12 league starts.

Webber's most-expensive Norwich signings

The 49ers could appoint another sporting director with a poor track record when it comes to making expensive signings, relative to the respective club.

Christos Tzolis

£9.6m

Milot Rashica

£9.6m

Gabriel Sara

£9.1m

Josh Sargent

£8.3m

Ben Gibson

£8m

The majority of these additions have turned out to be poor pieces of business from the Canaries chief, whose record with big-money moves appears to put him on a par with Orta.

Tzolis is currently in the second tier of German football on loan with Fortuna Düsseldorf and is valued by Transfermarkt at £4.4m and Rashica joined Besiktas for £4.5m earlier this year, whilst Gibson is valued at £1.7m.

Sara has, however, proven to be a successful signing as the Brazilian maestro has seen his market value soar to £13.9m in his 18 months or so with the club.

This suggests that Webber, who was dubbed "interesting" by reporter Connor Southwell, has let his side down more often than not with his biggest forays into the transfer market, like Orta did for Leeds.

Therefore, the 49ers are in danger of landing the next version of the Spanish chief, who appeared to waste too much money at Premier League level, as they eye up the Norwich man.

Mike's lively debut brings trouble for Sussex

Ben Mike showed up well on his Leicestershire debut before Sussex rallied late in the day

ECB Reporters Network04-Sep-2018
ScorecardA seventh wicket stand of 110 in 25 overs between Ben Brown and Chris Jordan rescued the day for promotion-chasing Sussex against Leicestershire at Hove.Until then Sussex had not made the most of a strong position with a number of batsmen getting out when well set against a depleted but spirited Leicestershire attack.Sussex had made a positive start after winning the toss. Their new-look opening partnership of Phil Salt and Tom Haines put on 79 for the first wicket at virtually four an over.After a disappointing defeat on a difficult pitch at Lord’s, third-placed Sussex picked an unchanged side, but pushed regular opener Luke Wells down to No 3.Talking T20

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Salt scored a typically expeditious 44 from 60 balls, with eight fours, before he was well caught and bowled by Ben Mike, low down to his right. Mike is making his first-class debut and impressed with his action and pace bowling downhill from the Cromwell Road end. He finished with 3 for 57. Dieter Klein is playing his fourth championship match of the season but is still waiting for his first wicket.Leicestershire, whose own promotion bid has fallen away after defeats by Kent and Gloucestershire, were fielding a weakened attack without the injured Gavin Griffiths and Zak Chappell.Haines reached his fifty when he guided Mohammad Abbas to the third man boundary for his tenth and final four. On 56 he was caught in the same area as he attempted a square drive. Sussex were 126 for 2 in the 37th over.Wells looked as if he had been batting at No 3 all his life. He went down the pitch to drive spinner Callum Parkinson back over his head for a flat six. But Leicestershire hit back at 140 when Harry Finch was lbw to Raine for four.Wells reached his fifty from 96 balls, with four fours and a six. But he was fourth out at 188 when he pushed forward to Neil Dexter and was caught behind.Luke Wright, with some forceful drives, looked keen to make up for his pair in his last outing – a failure that, oddly, caused one disgruntled Sussex member to lambast him on social media for eating an egg and bacon bap on the Lord’s balcony before start of play.There were four fours in Wright’s pugnacious 27 but then he was bowled attempting to pull a ball that kept low. When David Wiese was well caught in the gully for a second ball duck Sussex were 204 for 6 and had not made the most of their early advantage.But then captain Brown (60) and Jordan (52 not out) came together to provide the most resolute batting of the innings. Brown has been his side’s most dependable batsman this season, although he had to survive a prolonged appeal for a slip catch by Mark Cosgrove after reaching his half-century.

Liverpool reportedly now in direct contact with "world-class" superstar

Liverpool are believed to be in direct contact over a high-profile transfer for 2024, according to a fresh transfer update.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds have really clicked of late, enjoying a promising start to the season and looking like a very different team to the one that struggled so much last time around. A huge reason for that has been Liverpool's revamped midfield, with Jurgen Klopp clearly aware that he needed younger, more energetic options there after the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson struggled so badly when it came to covering ground in 2022/23.

Bringing in the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch has transformed the Reds as a team, making them look like Premier League title contenders, but that's not to say that further signings in other positions aren't needed moving forward.

Liverpool have surprisingly been linked with several attacking players despite their depth up front, from Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala to Athletic Bilbao youngster Nico Williams, and it would be a surprise if they didn't at least consider delving into the transfer market once the January window opens in the New Year.

It looks as though progress could be being made regarding another Reds target, with an exciting update emerging.

Napoli strikerVictor Osimhen.

Liverpool in talks with Osimhen

The Reds have been strongly linked with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, and while Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed rumours of a pre-agreement were false, a new report from Calciomercato says Liverpool are in "direct" talks with the Osimhen's representatives.

His contract situation at the Serie A champions is up in the air at the moment, but should he decide he wants a fresh challenge, it looks as though the Reds are the most advanced in their efforts to convince the player.

The idea of Osimhen in a Liverpool shirt is mouthwatering, considered he has been one of the standout attacking players in world football over the past 12 months or so, even being compared to Didier Drogba by Jose Mourinho.

The 24-year-old was arguably the key reason for Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 1990, with Osimhen's statistics standing out with 26 league goals en route to glory, not to mention netting five times in the Champions League. He has been hailed as a "world-class" player by Folarin Balogun, too.

Appearances

39

Goals

31

Assists

4

While the Napoli hero would be a sensational signing for Liverpool, given the pace, power and prolific goal threat he possesses, it is arguably difficult to see them making a move for him, considering the wealth of attacking options Klopp already has to choose from.

The Reds spent a lot of money on Darwin Nunez and surely see him as a player who will only get better and lead the line regularly eventually, while Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota also represent great options, not to mention Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz out wide.

Given how much Osimhen would likely cost, it would make more sense for Liverpool to use those funds on improving their defensive options or bringing in an out-and-out defensive midfielder, or even eye up a big-name long-term replacement for Salah.

'Complete chaos' – Netherlands boss Andries Jonker blasts 'unacceptable' UEFA calendar as he claims 'men have priority' over women

Netherlands boss Andries Jonker has slammed the UEFA calendar as "complete chaos" and claimed it gives "priority" to men's football over women's.

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Lots of frustration around women's football calendarStars like Williamson & Miedema have spoken outNetherlands boss Jonker latest to air concernsWHAT HAPPENED?

There has been a lot of debate over the women's football calendar in recent weeks, with qualifiers for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro to be played in two international breaks that come in June and July, once most European seasons have ended. England boss Sarina Wiegman expressed her worries during the Lionesses' February camp and many players have done so in the past, too, such as Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema.

AdvertisementWHAT JONKER SAID

Netherlands boss Jonker has now expressed his frustration with the calendar, telling reporters: "In women's football, there is a need for calm and vision. In my view, it is complete chaos. July 16, in the middle of summer, we have to play a Euro qualifier. How are we going to do that? The end of the season is at the end of May. Then we have to play an international period and a month later we have to play football again. UEFA has determined that and there is nothing to argue with that. That is a distinguished problem.

"It has to do with the full calendar of the women and not wanting to play at the same time as the men. Then that calendar gets completely full. The men have priority and the women have to adapt to that. This is really not acceptable. Most players have no rest at all."

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Concerns over the schedule come at a time when injuries are ravaging the women's game, too. Players continue to be struck down by devastating ACL ruptures, with the likes of Williamson, Miedema, Beth Mead, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Jill Roord just a few of the names to have been hit with such a setback in recent times.

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Indeed, the Netherlands will be without Miedema for their upcoming Euro qualifiers because she has had to have a further surgery after making her return from an ACL injury back in October.

"It's the same knee again," she said when the news was announced. "I was just on the way back and felt myself getting stronger mentally and physically. Soon, I'll have to go back to the gym. It's hard and frustrating. When will this stop for me?"

Bilal's six-for gives Pakistan the grip despite late blows

Australia lost 10 for 60 after a solid 142-run opening stand to concede the advantage on a platter to Pakistan

The Report by Danyal Rasool09-Oct-2018
The model remains the same, only the specifics vary. This Test match, like most in the UAE, is beginning to take shape around a resounding Pakistan victory.On a day where they were every bit as dominant as any in the lopsided 2014 series between these two, Pakistan sliced through Australia with consummate ease. Once the opening partnership of 142 had been broken – thanks to intelligent field placing and a magnificent low catch at silly mid-on from Asad Shafiq – Pakistan were all over Australia. Debutant Bilal Asif did a bulk of the damage to pick six wickets in a magnificent spell of offspin on a surface that has just started to wake up.Usman Khawaja and debutant Aaron Finch helped themselves to half-centuries after overcoming a probing opening burst early in the day. Then the familiar Australian subcontinent collapse came about as they lost 10 for 60 to make it the seventh time since July 2016 that they lost all 10 wickets for under 100. Asif took six and was supported superbly by fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who bowled with characteristic discipline to pick four wickets.There was never a question of enforcing the follow-on in this weather with the pitch beginning to take sharp turn. It meant Pakistan had to bat 17 overs to see out the day, but at the end of it, lost three of their own, including those of batting lynchpins Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali. In between those two, they also had to see Asif walk off after being sent in as nightwatchman with 30 minutes remaining. Pakistan ended on 45 for 3, leading by 325 overall, not even the late collapse being any reason for them to fret yet.The crucial breakthrough earlier in the day was the wicket of Khawaja. His foot movement was impressive against both pace and spin, and he looked comfortable with most of the shots he played. The early signs suggest the positive mental space he talked about occupying is already paying dividends.While Finch had fallen to the consistency of Abbas and the brilliance of Shafiq, Khawaja continued his assured progress towards what looked like an inevitable first hundred in Asia. He had been playing the sweep shots – paddle and reverse – chancelessly all day, but in the 62nd over, he was punished for misjudgment. He attempted to paddle a Bilal delivery that was far too short to sweep, and could only get the leading edge on it. It scooped up to short leg, and a despondent Khawaja found himself trudging back 15 runs short of a hundred.That exposed the middle order on a wicket it appeared hard to get a start on, and a confident Bilal was on the prowl. After troubling debutant Travis Head for much of the left-hander’s embattled nine-ball stay at the crease, he found his outside edge as Head looked to drive with the spin, only succeeding in guiding the ball to second slip. Two balls later, another debutant, Marnus Labuschagne, was walking back without scoring, having inside edged a straighter one onto his pad to short leg.There was negligible resistance after tea, the bottom half folding for 19 runs in under 11 overs. As with the previous session, Asif and Abbas were the only ones among the wickets, Yasir Shah went wicketless for the first time in his career in the UAE.Before lunch, Finch and Khawaja had looked positive and undaunted, and ensured Pakistan began the day with a wicketless session. They took the attack to any bowler, no matter his reputation, both scoring an unbeaten half-century by lunch. Where Pakistan’s run-rate stayed under three throughout the innings, the Australians were much more positive, adding 107 to their overnight score as they took lunch having chiseled 137 runs out of Pakistan’s colossal 482.Pakistan would have had plenty of reason to be confident this morning with a Test debutant at the crease with a player who averaged under 15 in Asia. But Finch and Khawaja played like men to whom those descriptions didn’t apply.Finch made it a point to consistently come forward to Yasir Shah, never really allowing the bowler to settle on a length. A smashed six down long-on from Finch off him was the shot of the morning, evocative of the player who’s established such a fearsome reputation in the limited-overs game. He brought up his half-century on debut with a commanding sweep off Bilal.It had looked so promising for Australia then, but Pakistan demonstrated, just as they had with the bat, that they were willing to be patient. As they inexorably move towards taking a 1-0 lead here, Australia will be left to wonder what more they have to do to stem the catalogue of collapses that have blighted their Test performance for the past few years.

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