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The Sri Lankan’s are in Pakistan and it’s their seventh tour to Pakistan since the first, way back during the 1981-82 season. They have also toured Pakistan in between, for World Cup games and for some other ODI engagements. This time they are scheduled to play the final of 2001-02 Asian Test Championship starting 6th of March.Following is a statistical summary of Pakistan – Sri Lanka previous Test matches.

Summary of all Series (11)Series Host Tests Pak SL Draw Series1981-82 Pakistan 3 2 – 1 Pakistan1985-86 Pakistan 3 2 – 1 Pakistan1985-86 Sri Lanka 3 1 1 1 drawn1991-92 Pakistan 3 1 – 2 Pakistan1994-95 Sri Lanka 2 2 – – Pakistan1995-96 Pakistan 3 1 2 – Sri Lanka1996-97 Sri Lanka 2 – – 2 drawn1998-99 Pakistan 1 – – 1 Pakistan (ATC)1998-99 Bangladesh 1 1 – – Pakistan (ATC)1999-00 Pakistan 3 1 2 – Sri Lanka1999-00 Sri Lanka 3 2 – 1 PakistanIn Pakistan 16 7 4 5In Sri Lanka 10 5 1 4Neutral 1 1 – -Overall 27 13 5 9Highest innings totalsPakistan: 600-8 dec at Galle in 1999-00Sri Lanka: 479 at Faisalabad in 1985-86Lowest innings totalsPakistan: 132 at Colombo (CCC) in 1985-86Sri Lanka: 71 at Kandy in 1994-95Individual hundreds (42)Pakistan (23)Batsmen Score Venue SeasonIjaz Ahmed 211 Dhaka 1998-99Qasim Umar 206 Faisalabad 1985-86Javed Miandad 203* Faisalabad 1985-86Inzamam-ul-Haq 200* Dhaka 1998-99Saleem Malik 155 Colombo (SSC) 1996-97Haroon Rashid 153 Karachi 1981-82Inzamam-ul-Haq 138 Karachi 1999-00Saeed Anwar 136 Colombo (PSS) 1994-95Zaheer Abbas 134 Lahore 1981-82Wajahatullah Wasti 133 Lahore 1998-99Mohsin Khan 129 Lahore 1981-82Saeed Anwar 123 Galle 1999-00Rameez Raja 122 Colombo (PSS) 1985-86Wajahatullah Wasti 121* Lahore 1998-99Moin Khan 117* Sialkot 1995-96Younis Khan 116 Galle 1999-00Ijaz Ahmed 113 Colombo (RPS) 1996-97Inzamam-ul-Haq 112 Galle 1999-00Younis Khan 107 Rawalpindi 1999-00Saleem Malik 101 Sialkot 1991-92Saleem Malik 100* Karachi 1981-82Inzamam-ul-Haq 100* Kandy 1994-95Wasim Akram 100 Galle 1999-00Sri Lanka (19)Batsmen Score Venue SeasonMS Atapattu 207* Kandy 1999-00ST Jayasuriya 188 Kandy 1999-00PA de Silva 168 Colombo (RPS) 1996-97S Wettimuny 157 Faisalabad 1981-82PA de Silva 138* Colombo (SSC) 1996-97A Ranatunga 135* Colombo (PSS) 1985-86PA de Silva 127 Colombo (PSS) 1994-95RP Arnold 123 Lahore 1998-99PA de Silva 122 Faisalabad 1985-86AP Gurusinha 116* Colombo (PSS) 1985-86HP Tillakaratne 115 Faisalabad 1995-96ST Jayasuriya 113 Colombo (SSC) 1996-97PA de Silva 112 Rawalpindi 1999-00RL Dias 109 Lahore 1981-82PA de Silva 105 Karachi 1985-86PA de Silva 105 Faisalabad 1995-96HP Tillakaratne 103 Colombo (RPS) 1996-97PA de Silva 103* Colombo (SSC) 1996-97RS Kaluwitharana 100 Lahore 1998-99Best bowling in an inningsPakistan: Imran Khan (8-58) at Lahore 1981-82Sri Lanka: JR Ratnayeke (8-83) at Sialkot 1985-86Best bowling in a matchPakistan: Imran Khan (14-116) at Lahore in 1981-82Sri Lanka: M Muralitharan (10-148) at Peshawar in 1999-00Highest partnership for each wicketPakistanWkt Runs Batsmen Venue Season1st 156 Wajahatullah Wasti & Shahid Lahore 1998-99Afridi2nd 151 Mohsin Khan & Majid Khan Lahore 1981-823rd 397 Qasim Umar & Javed Miandad Faisalabad 1985-864th 178 Wajahatullah Wasti & Yousuf Lahore 1998-99Youhana5th 132 Saleem Malik & Imran Khan Sialkot 1991-926th 124 Inzamam-ul-Haq & Younis Khan Karachi 1999-007th 120 Younis Khan & Wasim Akram Galle 1999-008th 88 Moin Khan & Waqar Younis Karachi 1999-009th 145 Younis Khan & Wasim Akram Rawalpindi 1999-0010th 90 Wasim Akram & Arshad Khan Colombo (SSC) 1999-00Sri LankaWkt Runs Batsmen Venue Season1st 335 MS Atapattu & ST Jayasuriya Kandy 1999-002nd 217 S Wettimuny & RL Dias Faisalabad 1981-823rd 176 UC Hathurusingha & PA de Silva Faisalabad 1995-964th 240* AP Gurusinha & A Ranatunga Colombo (PSS) 1985-865th 143 RP Arnold & RS Kaluwitharana Lahore 1998-996th 121 A Ranatunga & PA de Silva Faisalabad 1985-867th 131 HP Tillakaratne & RS Kalpage Kandy 1994-958th 76 PA de Silva & WPUJC Vaas Colombo (SSC) 1996-979th 52 PA de Silva & RJ Ratnayake Faisalabad 1985-8610th 73 HP Tillakaratne & KSC de Silva Dhaka 1998-99

Crystal Palace are poised to make a bid for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher as the summer transfer window approaches.

What’s the story?

With Palace still to appoint a successor to Roy Hodgson, chairman Steve Parish is overseeing a major squad rebuild, and Gallagher could be the first addition, according to The Sun.

A £15 million offer is set to be tabled by the south London outfit, although the report claims that the England U21 international is keen on staying and fighting for his place at Stamford Bridge.

Palace need him

The 21-year-old impressed throughout a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion in 2020/21 and has attracted the attention of several top-flight sides in recent weeks.

Gallagher made 30 Premier League appearances for the Baggies last season, scoring two goals and laying on a further two assists but was unable to prevent Sam Allardyce’s side from suffering relegation.

However, his overall performances boosted his reputation considerably, and Palace are thought to see the youngster as someone who can play a pivotal part in their engine room for years to come.

Central midfielders James McCarthy and James McArthur are set to depart Selhurst Park at the end of the month when their contracts expire, meaning fresh legs will be needed ahead of the new campaign.

The report goes on to claim that the capital club could be aided in their pursuit of Gallagher if either Frank Lampard or Swansea City manager Steve Cooper are appointed as Hodgson’s replacement in the coming weeks.

Lampard has experience of managing the box-to-box midfielder during his time at Chelsea, while Cooper has done so in the England youth set-up.

That isn’t the only connection between Gallagher and the former Blues boss, though, after ex-West Brom tactician Slaven Bilic addressed comparisons between the pair.“It isn’t going to help the boy to have so much praise, and I’m not a big fan of that, but you can’t help but notice it,” Bilic said on the Lampard comparison.“He ticks those boxes. He plays in the same position, he has everything, and it’s not a little bit of everything, it’s a lot of everything.”

Bringing in Gallagher would be seen as a significant coup by Parish this summer. Palace need the youngster with players leaving and his arrival could help to retain their Premier League status next season.

And, in other news…Worse than Nuno: Palace must avoid potential Hodgson successor with 42.51% win record 

Wolves legend Steve Bull has told Football FanCast that Adama Traore is too good for Leeds and should be targeting at top four club should he leave this summer.

The flying winger still has more than two years remaining on his deal, but hasn’t yet committed his future to the club, with talks over a new long-term contract still ongoing.

Traore, who was once called “unplayable” by Jurgen Klopp following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at Molineux last January, has been on Leeds’ radar for some time, and their pursuit of the Spaniard could be helped by reports suggesting that Wolves are looking to cash-in on the ex-Barcelona man.

The 25-year-old is still one of the most feared attackers in the Premier League, but only managed two goals last season, both coming in the final eight matches, whilst chipping in with three assists in 37 league appearances.

Despite his uninspiring goalscoring numbers, Bull exclusively told Football FanCast that Traore is still be world class on his day and therefore ruled out any potential move to Elland Road this summer:

“He’s too good to play for Leeds, that’s no disrespect to Leeds, but if he’s going to go anywhere, he will go to a top four club or go back home to Spain.

“When he turns it on, he’s a world beater, but I’m hoping he stays and wherever Nuno goes won’t tempt him, but I can’t see him going to Leeds.”

كشفت صحيفة “ديلي تيليجراف” البريطانية، عن صفقة جديدة ومهمة يستهدفها نادي باريس سان جيرمان من ليفربول في نهاية الموسم الحالي.

وارتبط باريس سان جيرمان مؤخرًا بالاهتمام بضم جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول وقائد منتخب مصر، محمد صلاح، لتدعيم مركز الجناح الأيمن.

ويحاول باريس سان جيرمان استغلال أزمة تجديد التعاقد بين محمد صلاح وليفربول، واقتراب عقد على الانتهاء في يونيو ٢٠٢٣، لمحاولة التعاقد معه في الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا | جون بارنز لـبطولات: ما يحدث مع محمد صلاح عشناه قبل رحيل فينالدوم.. والمال ليس سبب تعنت ليفربول

وبحسب التقرير، يريد باريس سان جيرمان التعاقد مع المدير الرياضي لنادي ليفربول، مايكل إدواردز، بعدما قرر عدم تجديد عقده مع الريدز والذي ينتهي بنهاية الموسم الحالي.

ويرغب باريس سان جيرمان في التعاقد مع إدواردز، الذي نجح في إعادة ليفربول لقمة الكرة الأوروبية من خلال صفقات مميزة مثل محمد صلاح، ساديو ماني، فيرجيل فان دايك، أليسون بيكر، والعديد من النجوم.

يريد باريس سان جيرمان في القيام بمشروع رياضي كبير يؤسسه إدواردز في السنوات المقبلة، من أجل تحقيق حلم الفوز ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا في المستقبل.

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who made 18 appearances for West Ham, admits he doesn’t think Issa Diop is worth the £60 million West Ham were quoting for him last season, despite having a good campaign.

The Hammers put a £60 million price tag on Diop’s head last summer to put off reported interest from Arsenal, which worked as the Frenchman stayed at the London Stadium.

In January, David Moyes was happy to let the £67,000 per week defender leave on loan but they never managed to reach an agreement with any clubs, and it remains to be seen whether the 24-year old is in the manager’s long term plans.

Speaking on why Diop is not worth £60 million and how he can’t expect to leave easily this summer, Lee told FFC:

“He’s had a good season but would I pay £60 million for him? No. I don’t think he pulled up any trees last year and he has done very well this year but he’s been in a good team.

“He has done well, but why because he has had one good season should he be looking to leave a club that stood by him when he wasn’t great last year?”

The Hammers have lost a bit of their momentum since Declan Rice’s injury having recently lost back-to-back games against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

West Ham have already signed a defender for next season as the club made Craig Dawson’s loan deal a permanent one for just £2 million from Watford.

Leicester City missed the chance to strengthen their hold on a Champions League place as they were held to a 1-1 draw against 10-man Southampton on Friday night.

Jannik Vestergaard was sent off in just the ninth minute of the game but Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes could not find a way through before the interval, even falling behind to James Ward-Prowse’s second half penalty before Jonny Evans rescued a point.

A huge culprit of Leicester’s failure to earn three points at St Mary’s on Friday was in-form striker Kelechi Iheanacho. Despite having scored 14 goals in all competitions since early February, the Nigerian was a disappointment on the south coast last night.

According to WhoScored, he had three shots throughout the game, failing to draw Saints stopper Alex McCarthy into any strenuous work with any of them.

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He provided two key passes and it was his cross which was headed home by Evans for the eventual Leicester equaliser, but that does not quite tell the whole story of Iheanacho’s evening.

The £13.5m-rated striker could only accumulate a woeful pass accuracy rate of 58.3%, which was by far the worst from a Leicester player. This is compounded by the fact that Iheanacho lost possession on 16 occasions throughout the 90 minutes according to SofaScore as he continually struggled to control the ball.

Having also failed to complete a dribble and being flagged offside once, the Nigerian served to frustrate his team.

To compound that frustration, the former Manchester City man was at fault for the hosts’ goal, with his handball directly resulting in a penalty kick being awarded and then converted by Ward-Prowse.

Considering that the Foxes were up against ten men for almost the entire match, Rodgers will surely be fuming at Iheanacho’s hugely wasteful performance against Southampton.

AND in more news, find out why Leicester have been boosted in their pursuit of a La Liga star…

Everton are reportedly in a race with two other clubs in the Premier League to sign Samu Chukwueze, according to La Razon.

As per the news outlet, Arsenal and West Ham United, as well as the Goodison Park faithful, are ‘willing’ to bid for his signature, however he has a release clause of no less than €80m (£69.4m).

It is more likely that Chukwueze would move to the top flight than the interested Atletico Madrid due to this clause, and the Villarreal star is a player that the Merseyside club would be ‘very interested’ in signing.

Everton could splash out on Chukwueze

Chukwueze is certainly a player that would bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad and give them a great option on the wing if the Blues decide to invest the monster sum.

The Nigeria international has scored four goals and made a further seven assists in 36 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), and offers sheer pace that would frighten any defender in the Premier League.

Former Toffees striker and footballing legend Samuel Eto’o described him as an ‘incredible’ (Goal.com) player back in May 2020, which is certainly high praise, and he was clocked at 34.58 km/hr (via Complete Sports) last season, making him one of the quickest players in the Spanish top flight.

The release clause may be a lot of money, but at 21 years of age, Chukwueze still has so much potential, and it may well be the perfect time now for the Toffees to take the plunge on a possible future superstar.

In other news, find out what injury update has been bemoaned by EFC fans here!

Manchester United have been given a defensive injury boost ahead of their UEFA Europa League tie with Granada.

According to the Red Devils, Brazilian left-back Alex Telles is back in action having missed the Premier League win against Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend.

He has now joined up with the club’s 24-man travelling squad for the game in what will be a huge boost to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Whilst Luke Shaw is the club’s first-choice left-back and currently in the midst of a sparkling 2020/21 campaign, Telles has all-but claimed a starting berth in Europe.

Of the ten European matches that the Red Devils have played in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League this campaign, Telles has been left on the bench only once – that game being the recent 1-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro. He was absent for matches against RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir but that was due to a positive COVID-19 test.

When he has been afforded chances, the £25.2m-rated defender, who was signed from FC Porto in the summer, has displayed his immense quality.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-old-trafford-macheda-solskjaer-lingard-ousmane-dembele-anthony-martial-injury-rabiot-van-de-beek” title=” The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

Despite having only played 18 games for United, he has already accumulated seven clean sheets, as well as having provided a further three assists from left-back.

As a matter of fact, Telles is actually outperforming Shaw in interceptions, clearances and shots per game this season according to WhoScored.

The Brazilian’s availability would certainly be useful then in resting Shaw who having played every minute of the club’s last eight Premier League games, as well as having departed on international duty, could be due a rest.

Solskjaer will also have no qualms on including the £100k-a-week earning Telles, with the Norwegian previously stating that he “loves” the left-back’s attitude and work-rate.

It is certainly a huge positive then to see Telles’ back against Granada after his short lay-off.

AND in more news, the Red Devils have been handed what could be a huge blow in their pursuit of Ousmane Dembele…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Lee Hendrie revealed his disappointment over the lack of youth players that have come through at Aston Villa in recent years.

While the former Villa midfielder feels differently now, quickly praising the emergence of Jacob Ramsey, 19, and the potential of his brother Aaron, 18, he was critical of the goings-on at Villa Park prior.

At present, Ramsey finds himself as a part of Dean Smith’s first team, making his full Premier League debut against Wolves last December.

Since then, the English midfielder has gone on to make a host of cameo appearances, including against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, firmly completing that transition from the youth set-up to the senior squad.

And it is that kind of youth progression Hendrie believes Villa had been lacking prior. The retired Premier League footballer told FFC:

“I feel that’s been a bit of a downfall, that they haven’t brought enough youngsters in who’ve made a big impact over the past four or five years. [You] probably [have to] stretch back to the likes of Jack Grealish. So that’s where they’ve got to be better, in that department.

“Seeing the likes of the young boys coming through at this moment of time, it’s a great fit for Dean [Smith]. Now it’s a matter of whether they can actually step up.”

Ramsey could next be in action when Villa host Fulham in the Premier League after the international break.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who scored 306 goals for Wolves, believes Nelson Semedo will become as good as Matt Doherty was at Molineux, especially once he gets this season out the way.

Both full-backs have struggled for consistency this season with Semedo not offering the same goal threat and assist potential as Doherty did for a number of years for Wolves, and the Republic of Ireland international has struggled for regular minutes at Tottenham Hotspur only starting 13 Premier League games.

In 302 games for Wolves, Doherty managed to get 28 goals and 41 assists as a wing-back, and he quickly became one of the most clinical defenders in the opposition box but has not settled into a full-back role under Jose Mourinho.

Speaking on Doherty leaving Molineux and his hopes for Semedo’s future, Bull told FFC exclusively:

“I’m not really surprised at his lack of matches because I think he’s been injured a few times, but he is a very good player and if you need an outlet player then he’ll push up on the right-hand side like a winger rather than a full back.

“It used to be as soon as Coady got the ball he would be looking for that 40-yard pass out wide to Doherty and he’d knock it into his path and all of sudden he’d be in a shooting position.

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“So, you know we were sad to see him go but Semedo has come in and I think if he can get this season out the way with, then I think he’ll be on the same level as what Doherty was.”

In 26 Premier League appearances, Semedo, who reportedly earns £77,000-a-week, has registered just one assist which could be down to the fact Raul Jimenez has been injured since November, but Wolves fans will be hoping for more next season.

The Portuguese international was seen as a good and equally player to replace Doherty when he joined Spurs, but the £37 million signing hasn’t proved his worth yet.