Peter Crouch turned heads when the ex-Liverpool man turned up as a mascot for a non-league team after losing his Fantasy Football league.
Crouch last in Fantasy Football leagueEx-Liverpool man told to do a forfeitActs as mascot for non-league sideFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The ex-England international finished bottom of his fantasy football league with That Peter Crouch Podcast hosts, Chris Stark and Steve Sidwell. As a punishment, the 6ft 7in star walked out as a mascot for Farnham Town before their Southern League Premier Division South game against Sholing on Saturday.
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The popular former Stoke City ace took part in pre-match player meet and greets, was part of a half-time show, and ate dinner with the other mascots. And best of all, the 44-year-old wore a Farnham kit to blend in with the Surrey outfit, to the delight of many at Memorial Ground. Incidentally, the game ended in in a 2-2 draw.Â
WHAT CROUCH SAID
Alongside a clip of him walking onto the pitch before kick-off, Crouch tweeted: "Having the best day at Farnham Town today as mascot."
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WHAT NEXT?
Crouch's actions went viral on social media, with many praising the big man. Some may wonder if the retired footballer will be attending any more Farnham games this season, as they try to secure promotion from the seventh tier of English football.
Nottinghamshire took a hefty stride towards safety in Division One of the Vitality County Championship by reaching 393 for 6 at stumps after a dominant first day against Kent at Canterbury.Openers Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed demoralised the division’s basement side with a stand of 196 for the first wicket: Slater made 160 from 217 balls, with 22 fours, while Hameed made a more pedestrian 56 from 142.Jack Haynes then inflicted further punishment with 62 and Nottinghamshire, who began the day in eighth, were aided by a total of 37 extras, 30 of which came from no-balls.Games at the Spitfire Ground have followed a pattern for Kent fans this season: a slow erosion of hope during the first innings before despair sets in during the second; there’s admirable but futile resistance in the third and then defeat in the fourth, if it goes that far.Last week’s trend-bucking draw with Hampshire at least allowed members a micro-measure of optimism going into this “48-pointer”, but even that had gone within the first half hour. In a pivotal game for both sides’ chances of staying in the division, Kent chose to bowl, only for Notts to race to 50 in just 53 balls.Kent handed a home debut to Akeem Jordan, but his first three overs went for 36 and he was replaced at the Pavilion End by Nathan Gilchrist.Slater was on 41 when he slashed at George Garrett, only for Jack Leaning to drop him at second slip and his 50 came after a misfield from Jordan. It was 134 for 0 at lunch, and the afternoon was only slightly less lopsided. Slater cracked Gilchrist through point for four to reach three figures and Hameed steered Jordan through third man to bring up his 50, before their stand was finally ended when Joey Evison bowled the latter.Freddie McCann then walked after he edged Gilchrist to Leaning for 8, although replays suggested it may not have carried, and Joe Clarke went for 18 when he pulled George Garrett to Gilchrist at deep fine leg, leaving Notts on 271 for 3 at tea.Leaning had Slater caught at first slip by Tawanda Muyeye but Haynes and Lyndon James responded with a partnership of 60 before Haynes was caught off a bottom edge by Muyeye off Gilchrist.James then fell to Jordan for 34 in the penultimate over, given out caught by Muyeye after a lengthy consultation by the umpires, leaving Luke Fletcher and Dane Schadendorf to bat through to stumps on 10 and 8 respectively.
In-form Dom Sibley’s second hundred in three matches spurred Surrey to end a run of five straight defeats with their first Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory of the season, dealing a blow to Leicestershire’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages.Sibley followed his 149 against Warwickshire and 72 versus Nottinghamshire with 105, sharing stands of 138 for the first wicket with Ryan Patel (72) and 111 for the second with Ben Geddes (61) as Surrey totalled 296 for 6. It proved enough despite losing five wickets in the last eight overs.The Foxes were given a chance as opener Sol Budinger maintained his place as the competition’s leading run scorer by hitting 70 from 68 balls and Tom Scriven’s career-best 55 raised hopes of a gripping finish for a crowd of almost 1,400 but ultimately proved in vain, leg-spinner Cameron Steel taking 3 for 48 for the victors.All-rounders Ian Holland, with 2 for 50, and Scriven, with 2 for 51, were the pick of the Foxes bowlers, with 19-year-old seamer Sam Wood taking 1 for 34 on his List A debut.If the Foxes finished well with the ball, the start provided by Sibley and Patel with the bat was comfortably Surrey’s best of the season.Asked to bat first on an overcast morning, Surrey were 51 without loss from 10 overs and were 125 for nothing by halfway, Sibley having gone to fifty from 59 balls with Patel reaching his from 72.Patel suffered an unlucky dismissal. Shaping to hook the tall Wood, he seemed to be hit on the shoulder before the ball deflected off his helmet on to the stumps.Geddes maintained Surrey’s positive start. Dropped by Chris Wright at fine leg on 35 off Liam Trevaskis, he cashed in to the tune of 26 more runs before falling to a catch at deep midwicket off Roman Walker.Sibley had gone to his hundred from 115 balls in the 42nd over with his 11th four but soon miscued to long-off, giving Scriven wickets in consecutive overs after Rory Burns was bowled sweeping.Holland then had Josh Blake caught at backward point and 19-year-old Surrey debutant Ollie Sykes at long-on, a fifth wicket to fall in seven overs with Surrey slipping from 249 for 1 to 286 to 6.The Foxes’ chase suffered a double stumble to leave them 49 for 2 from 10 after Holland picked out deep backward square off James Taylor and Lewis Hill was caught behind off Conor McKerr.Ajinkya Rahane had an escape when he was spilled at cover on four off McKerr, which was beginning to look like an expensive drop by Steel as he and Budinger began to accelerate, the latter passing fifty for the fourth time in five innings, the run including 120 against Essex at Chelmsford. But Rahane could make only 27 before he was caught at midwicket off Patel, the ball perhaps sticking in the pitch a little.Budinger and Peter Handscomb shared a match-winning 113-run partnership against Essex on this ground last year but could add only 48 this time before Budinger holed out to deep midwicket.It felt like a significant moment at 142 for 4 in the 26th, one that was amplified two overs later as Handscomb hit straight to cover, both batters falling to Steel.Trevaskis was bowled by left-arm spinner Yousef Majid and Cox fell leg-before to McKerr. Scriven’s 45-run eighth-wicket stand with Wood, stumped off Steel for 22, kept the contest alive, Scriven hitting two sixes, but 20 off Taylor in the last over was always unlikely and the match ended with Scriven falling to a stunning catch by Patel at backward point as Leicestershire were all out for 279.With three wins from five, qualification for the knock-out stages is still possible, although Group B leaders Warwickshire and Glamorgan both have five wins from five.Both sides wore black armbands and a minute’s silence was observed at the start of the match as the cricket world mourns the loss of great England and Surrey servant Graham Thorpe.
Wrexham fans must have become used to their side languishing in the National League and being known as sleeping giants, with the Red Dragons stuck inside non-league’s top division for a mammoth 15 seasons, before a dramatic turnaround in fortunes came about during the 2022/23 campaign.
Now, Phil Parkinson’s team will be embarking on an unbelievable Championship adventure this coming season, with Wrexham just fresh off the wild feat of three promotions in a row to demand a seat at the esteemed second-tier table.
The ultra ambitious Welsh outfit will head into the Championship full of confidence, and rightly so, with this sky-high optimism only raised more by the potential arrival of a new striker who could go down as Wrexham’s next Paul Mullin.
Mullin has been there from the very start of the crazy journey up the leagues, with his growing collection of goals making him a firm fan favourite at the Racehorse Ground.
Mullin's remarkable journey at Wrexham
The 30-year-old joined the Wrexham ranks right as the club was about to be catapulted into stardom, with every season – bar his debut campaign – ending in the sweet glory of promotion.
Along the way, the prolific striker has bagged a jaw-dropping 105 strikes from 165 overall clashes, with the Liverpool-born centre-forward a definite member of the Red Dragons’ hall of fame.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an inevitable end, with Mullin’s waning output of just three league strikes last season meaning he could be moved on very shortly.
Wigan Athletic are allegedly interested in his services, but this potential dent to Wrexham’s squad would be immediately fixed by a brand-new goalscoring menace joining the club, someone who has displayed a similar deadliness in front of goal to Mullin during the high points of his up-and-down career.
Wrexham'sPaulMullinshoots at goal
Wrexham's "clinical" new Mullin
The much-loved 30-year-old might well be a potent hero in the lower reaches of the EFL, but it would be a tall order to expect him to light up the Championship, considering he has never plied his trade here across his extensive playing days.
On the contrary, Danny Ings has shone at the difficult level in the past, with Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph now boldly revealing that the newly promoted side are in talks with the 32-year-old over a statement deal taking place.
Before going on to be known as a Premier League-calibre striker for the likes of Southampton and West Ham United, Ings would get his first big break in the Championship with Burnley by scoring 27 of his 43 Clarets goals in the unpredictable division.
The well-travelled veteran would surely welcome a return to the level, therefore, to recapture his groove in front of goal, with the hope that he can go on to be as deadly as Mullin in his fresh location, even so deep into his career.
Burnley
130
43
14
Southampton
100
46
10
West Ham
69
5
5
Aston Villa
52
14
8
AFC Bournemouth
30
8
3
Liverpool
25
4
1
Overall number
406
120
41
After all, the table above shows off Ings’ “clinical” nature – as he was once labelled glowingly by Liverpool writer Leanne Prescott – across the myriad of clubs he has lined up for, with his weaker return of five strikes for West Ham mainly impacted by his recurring injury issues when on the books of Graham Potter’s men.
Ings going down as a success in Wales will all depend on whether the injury-prone forward can shake free of these constant trips to the treatment room.
If he can, he could become that same talismanic figure for Parkinson’s men that Mullin once was, with Wrexham already daring to dream about a Premier League stay one day.
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The Welsh club are preparing for life in the Championship.
Tottenham Hotspur want to reinforce their squad in key areas to coincide with the arrival of a new manager, with new signings crucial as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.
Tottenham transfer to-do list before 2025/2026
The noise surrounding Ange Postecoglou and his future in the last fortnight delayed the club’s recruitment drive, but with their Premier League rivals making serious moves, Daniel Levy finally pulled the trigger and the manager’s departure was announced on Friday.
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While the search for a new boss is currently taking precedence right now, with Postecoglou relieved of his duties by Spurs after an official announcement on Friday afternoon, supporters will be hoping they can find his replacement in quick fashion.
Arsenal are currently working on deals for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres of RB Leipzig and Sporting CP respectively (BBC), while fellow London rivals Chelsea have already announced the arrival of Liam Delap in a ÂŁ30 million deal from Ipswich.
English champions Liverpool have been especially busy with their ongoing rumoured pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, after completing the signing of Jeremie Frimpong.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The same can be said of Man City, which begs the question: how long can Tottenham really go without attacking this transfer market in similar fashion? Especially after qualifying for Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Once their plans do kick-in, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge suggests the Lilywhites have plans to reinforce in all areas of the squad, bar their goalkeeper.
A new forward and midfielder will apparently take priority if defender Cristian Romero stays, according to Bridge, and Spurs will no longer have to sell to buy after winning the Europa League.
That being said, the futures of some high-profile first-team players may still lie away from N17, meaning Daniel Levy could have to replace them.
Earlier this week, The Telegraph shared news of Son Heung-min’s potential departure after 10 years at Tottenham. The one-year contract extension clause in his deal, which was activated earlier this year, means Spurs will be able to demand a fee.
Meanwhile, Richarlison has been heavily linked with an exit this summer, following an injury-ridden campaign.
What agents have said about Tottenham talks for Rodrigo Muniz
If the Brazilian does leave, recent reports have claimed that Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz could replace the Brazilian.
However, despite some claims Tottenham have been in talks for Muniz, journalist Vene Casagrande has shared information to the contrary directly from the ÂŁ50 million South American’s camp.
Muniz’s agents have apparently denied any talks with Spurs, adding that Flamengo also have a 25 per cent sell-on clause on any future deal for the forward, which could complicate matters even further.
The 24-year-old bagged 11 goals in all competitions and was a key player for Marco Silva over the course of 2024/2025, prompting rumoured interest from Tottenham as they scour the market for proven forwards.
Manchester United are now in advanced talks to sign a midfielder who’s “out of this world”, but there could be competition for his signature from rivals Manchester City, according to a report.
Man Utd planning summer rebuild
Man United are on course for their lowest-ever Premier League finish, sitting in 14th place with just six games left to play, and Roy Keane was extremely critical of the players’ mentality after the 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United.
Andre Onana’s performances have been a cause for concern, with the Cameroonian being dropped in favour of Altay Bayindir against Newcastle, while Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have just six Premier League goals between them this season.
As such, Ruben Amorim is planning a serious rebuild this summer, with FC Porto’s Diogo Costa and Angers’ Yahia Fofana among the targets between the sticks, while Premier League duo Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha have been identified as potential options at striker.
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According to a report from Spain, Amorim may also be keen to strengthen in midfield this summer, with it being revealed Man United are now in advanced talks with the agents of Atalanta star Ederson, although there may be competition for his signature from Man City.
Doubts over the futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen mean United have now stepped up their pursuit of the Atalanta midfielder, and they are ahead of their rivals in the race, but he will not come cheap.
The Italian club could hold out for a fee of €60 (ÂŁ52m), given his importance to the side, and they are in no rush to sanction the Brazilian’s departure.
"Out of this world" Ederson impressing for Atalanta
It is little wonder two of England’s biggest clubs are now keen on the 25-year-old, given that he has been impressing for Atalanta for quite some time, making 12 appearances en-route to their Europa League triumph in the 2023-24 campaign.
Fabio Capello also singled the Brazil international out for particularly high praise earlier this season, saying: “He is out of this world for his ability to combine running, physicality, technique and intelligence”.
With doubt over Casemiro’s future, it could be important for United to bring in a defensively adept midfielder this summer, and the Atalanta maestro certainly fits the bill in that regard, given that his tackling ability was regularly on display last season.
Ederson could be the perfect heir to Casemiro, who is now in the twilight years of his career at 33-years-old, so it is exciting news that Man United are in advanced talks with his agents.
After defeat against Fulham exposed the problems that Arne Slot must still solve, Liverpool are now reportedly expected to hold talks with one attacking addition over a summer move worth ÂŁ87m.
Fulham expose Liverpool weaknesses
Whilst on paper the Reds are still just four wins away from Premier League glory, the reality is that they’ve now lost three of their last four games in all competitions having suffered defeat against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United before the international break. All of a sudden, an unstoppable Liverpool side has looked very much stoppable and one with problems to solve.
Slot spoke about his side’s imperfections following their 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage, telling reporters: “There’s always a lot of attention around Liverpool. That doesn’t start now, that’s been there the whole season.
“Of course, people want to make stories but for me it’s all about playing Fulham. They’re a good team, and if you then make three errors it’s going to be very difficult to win the game against them.
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“In general, we are not making many of these errors, let alone three in one game. Today, we also had (Ibrahima) Konate losing the ball too. The second half was so much better than the first, but it’s hard to win a game of football at this level if you concede three goals like this.”
The Dutchman was happy to defend his side, but there’s no denying their recent woes and that they need a number of fresh faces when the transfer window swings open. Among those particularly guilty against Fulham was Andy Robertson, who made three errors in one to gift Alex Iwobi the Cottagers’ third goal before the break.
As links continue to emerge with the likes of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, the Scotland captain may well coming to the end of his best years in a Liverpool shirt. Meanwhile, in search of a creative spark not named Mohamed Salah, those at Anfield have reportedly kept their attention on one ÂŁ100m star.
Liverpool expected to hold talks with Wirtz
According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool are expected to hold talks with Florian Wirtz this summer in an attempt to jump ahead of Manchester City and land his signature for a reported ÂŁ87m.
As the Citizens go in search of replacing the departing Kevin de Bruyne, the Reds could land their very own version of an undeniable Premier League legend, albeit they may have to drive that price up closer to ÂŁ100m.
Bailey told The Boot Room: “Whilst Bayern and City have done the most work to this point, I am told not to totally discount others, especially in just making an offer – if you are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or even Real Madrid – who all like him – why wouldn’t you at least have the conversation?”
Appearances
48
39
Goals
16
15
Assists
22
13
An instant positive that stands out when looking at arguably De Bruyne’s best individual season at Manchester City compared to Wirtz in the current campaign is how the German has almost matched the Belgian for goals.
Of course, De Bruyne at the peak of his powers would blow away almost anyone on the assists front but Wirtz hasn’t exactly got a bad record himself and still has time to catch the Premier League icon.
Dubbed “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Wirtz would take Liverpool’s attacking play to a whole new level.
From a franchise final to leading her country, Sophie Devine chats to Valkerie Baynes and Firdose Moonda
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2024In the latest episode of ESPNcricinfo Powerplay, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine chats to Valkerie Baynes and Firdose Moonda about hosting England straight off the back of the WPL Final, physical and mental health and where franchise cricket fits in the scheme of women’s cricket.
The India batter smashed 89 off 56 while Sri Lanka’s youngsters had more sedate returns
Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Feb-20222:14
Ishan Kishan: Our approach is to attack the bowlers rather than wait for a bad ball
Seven balls into his innings, Ishan Kishan gets a full toss outside his off stump. In a blink, it has scorched its way to the cover boundary. The next ball from Chamika Karunaratne is a shorter, slower delivery. The shoulders swing into action. The elbows are a blur. This ball blazes and takes an even quicker route to the rope. Straight of cover this time.In the late 1990s, when Sanath Jayasuriya reigned over India versus Sri Lanka fixtures, word on the streets in India was that Jayasuriya had springs hidden in his bat. How else did he get the ball to boing off over the infield when the likes of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad bowled at him?Related
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Kishan’s bat functions more like rocket launcher than trampoline. That he is no conventional “timer of the ball” is clear, because he throws every milligram of his body weight into some of his shots. But this is not the same thing as saying he does not have timing. On evenings like these, the force that goes up from his toes, through his hips, chest, shoulders, arms, wrists, seems to be matched by the energy that his bat, of its own accord, is producing. It’s big-effort batting mixed with glorious-timing results. The best of both worlds. It took seven years at the international level for Jayasuriya to mesh his explosive power with batting’s more refined virtues. Kishan is in his ninth T20I.But we know where the refinement came for Kishan, right? He’s hit 1452 runs in the IPL, and commanded a pay packet of more than US$2 million in the most-recent auction. He’s played 56 innings in that competition, and 108 T20 innings overall, and in that time, batted in a host of match situations and positions. On Thursday evening, he had to face two 140kph-plus bowlers up front, and a legspinner and a left-arm spinner, none of whom seriously troubled him. He batted, as on his debut against England last year, and in several internationals since, as if pounding bowlers of every description was a birthright.When Sri Lanka came out to make their response to Kishan’s 89 off 56 and India’s 199 for 2, they had some promising young batters too. Pathum Nissanka, a first-class star who had sort of made the switch to being a decent T20 batter, having top-scored in the recent series in Australia, was opening the innings. Charith Asalanka, who was excellent in last year’s T20 World Cup, was batting lower down.Through the course of this tour, you might notice their better shots. Like Asalanka’s ramp off Jasprit Bumrah at the end of the fourth over. Or his flat, hard, reverse sweep through point off Ravindra Jadeja in the 14th.But you might also notice this. Young India players are largely doing things they’ve done before, going into their memory banks, calling up moments from their past in which they’ve triumphed in similar situations, against oppositions of perhaps somewhat worse but not-dissimilar quality. Sri Lanka’s young players are always reaching. The next level. That big step. This vast chasm they have to somehow bridge.Occasionally, they manage it. But often, they don’t. You see their talent warring with their inexperience when Kamil Mishara, who has all of 15 T20s (of any description) on his ledger, punches the second ball he’s ever faced from Bumrah to the cover fence on the up, before failing to connect with the next three deliveries, as Bumrah mixes it up. You see it in Janith Liyanage’s pained 11 off 17, or even in Nissanka’s fatal first ball, where he failed to account for the low bounce in the Lucknow pitch. Even Asalanka, the Sri Lanka batter who has best transitioned to T20Is in the last few years, was dropped twice on his way to his half-century.We will not tread over SLC’s many sins here, because they have been lavishly documented in these pages. But even if their officials were competent, Sri Lanka will never have the likes of this Indian cricketing machine, of which Kishan is a proud product. There are some harsh judgements on the Sri Lankan system, but also some bald economics. For much of Kishan’s IPL career, he was coached by one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketing minds.Sri Lanka have two more T20s, and two Tests, in a country where they have done exceedingly poorly in both those formats. If they are to make something of this tour, they will have to reach for the kinds of performances they have never produced before.India, like Kishan, ferocious at home in any case, need only to do what they’ve been doing.
A lookback at the mistakes Afghanistan made to exit from the quarter-final stage
Sreshth Shah in Benoni01-Feb-2020Afghanistan’s quarter-final against Pakistan was always going to be a game of emotion and skill. And perhaps, the occasion got the better of them.Electing to bat, Afghanistan started well but stuttered. Their captain Farhan Zakhil received two early reprieves, after which he batted defensively to top score with 40, but the others didn’t tread the same degree of caution.The first was Ibrahim Zadran, already a Test player. Afghanistan were rattling along at over six an over, but he couldn’t resist going after the bowling. In the seventh over, he was out caught at third man while trying to drive on the up.Rahmanullah, their No. 4, was reprieved at deep midwicket in the 20th but couldn’t resist going for another cross-batted slog. He was out lbw in the 23rd over.Asif Musazai had been kept quiet by leg spinner Fahad Munir, but the urge to hit out cost him as he was out edging to gully. That’s three top batsmen gone because they weren’t patient enough, and there were more.Abid Mohammadi could’ve wrested control for Afghanistan, but did something uncharacteristic after playing himself in. With the dot-ball pressure building, he tried to steal a single that wasn’t on and was run out.These are just a few examples that left Afghanistan coach Raees Ahmadzai disappointed. The total of 189 wasn’t going to be enough, especially after Mohammadi dropped Mohammad Huraira at third man in the third over of the chase.Huraira responded by thumping 64, and with the pace he was scoring in, could’ve got a hundred on his Youth ODI debut, had it not been for his run-out in contentious circumstances.”I think the main problem was that the batsmen did not take any responsibility, especially the middle order,” Ahmadzai said. “We were short by 30-35 runs. The wicket was very good for batting but the main problem was no one took any responsibility. Three batsmen gave their wickets away like a gift.”The way we started, the opposition bowlers weren’t causing any problem for us. But the way we gave the wickets away, momentum went to the Pakistan side. I will say six batsmen gave their wickets freely to Pakistan.”Could things have been different for Afghanistan? Their bowlers didn’t look to attack and were happy to restrict, banking heavily on their spinners. That didn’t pay off. They went for wickets, erred in line and were punished in the Powerplay.By the time Afghanistan’s legspinner Shafiqullah Ghafari was introduced into the attack, Pakistan’s openers had knocked off more than 25% of the target. Noor Ahmad, their wicket-taking option, came into the attack when Pakistan were already at 60 for no loss.While Afghanistan may have thought correctly in playing an extra batsman, could they have tried out Sediqullah Atal in place of the out-of-form Musazai? Atal was striking the ball superbly at the nets, but could only watch from the sidelines.Coming into the tournament, Afghanistan had won their last four U-19 games against Pakistan. They entered the game undefeated and were favourites. But their indecision cost them.As such, the Under-19 World Cup isn’t just about who wins, but about who leaves the biggest footprint. To that effect, they can draw some solace from the fact that they found a number of players who could go on to serve the national team well.Ghafari’s six-wicket haul, on the opening day of the World Cup, against hosts South Africa, lit the tournament up.  Noor, only 15, has made other countries jealous of Afghanistan’s plethora of spin-bowling options. As Afghanistan continue to find leaders for the future, in Zakhil they found a man with a clear thought process.But they’ll have to address one issue soon, and that is consistent batting performances. They need to perhaps learn aggression isn’t just about hitting out. And that 50-over cricket can’t be played with T20 tempo.