There are nerves in the air at Leeds United at the moment as the brand new Premier League season gets closer and closer by the day.

The newly promoted Whites have been very active in the transfer window so far, as seen in seven fresh faces joining Daniel Farke’s ranks this summer to date, but the German is still hesitant about his side’s top-flight acumen heading into the anxious opening run of matches.

In particular, the German is concerned about the options he has at his disposal up top, with both Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford out of his first-team plans.

Whilst adding in more depth up top looks to be crucial, Leeds wouldn’t say no to additions elsewhere, as a fresh midfielder is now also eyed up.

Leeds pushing for move for £100k p/w star

Before exploring further as to who Leeds could add to the midfield department, it’s clear that the Whites want more Premier League-capable striker options, and fast.

Beto, who Leeds were linked with earlier in the transfer window, has reportedly come back onto their shopping list as he weighs up moving away from Everton, with the Whites’ interest in Fulham ace Rodrigo Muniz also long-standing.

Away from the plethora of names filtering through in the centre-forward areas, Leeds have also been credited with interest in free agent midfielder Josh Brownhill, as per a new report by GIVEMESPORT.

The report further reveals that Everton is also trying to push through a deal for the ex-Clarets captain, but a tricky stumbling block has emerged for both parties.

The hurdle both sides will have to try and overcome is the spending power of MLS side Toronto FC, who are willing to offer the Manchester-born star a £100k-per-week deal to leave England behind for Canada.

It remains to be seen what Brownhill’s short-term future looks like, but if he does decide to relocate from Lancashire to Elland Road, over pastures new in Canada, he could be just what Leeds need in terms of an attacking outlet centrally, away from the more defensively sound members of the squad from the middle of the park.

Why Brownhill's addition could be perfect for Stach

Indeed, out of all the midfielders at Farke’s disposal, new £17.4m recruit Anton Stach is the most content with just sitting back and doing his defensive dirty work.

So much so, Stach can even line up as a centre-back if needed – as seen in his 16 career appearances from this part of the pitch – alongside the fact that the Whites number 18 singled out his “aggressive” nature as one key attribute to his game when speaking just after his move to Leeds had been confirmed.

Games played

30

42

Goals scored

1

18

Assists

2

6

Touches*

66.8

52.1

Shots*

1.2

1.6

Accurate passes*

41.9 (83%)

31.8 (82%)

Key passes*

0.9

1.2

Tackles*

2.2

1.5

Ball recoveries*

5.7

2.8

Total duels won*

5.6

3.4

The German’s aggressive approach on the pitch is certainly more evident when looking at the table above, with Stach greatly trumping Brownhill when it comes to tackles made, ball recoveries made, and total duels won per match last season in their respective leagues.

Having such a lively, fierce anchor in the side means Brownhill will be able to focus even more on his explosive attacking game at Elland Road, with the 29-year-old’s stunning output of 18 goals and six assists last season for Burnley clinching automatic promotion out of the Championship, alongside Farke’s title-winners.

With six goals and six assists already next to his name in the Premier League, too, both Brownhill and Stach could be components of a new-look midfield that just work alongside each other, as the EFL “superstar” – as he was once dubbed by former manager Lee Johnson – attempts to become a top-flight regular wearing Leeds white.

Of course, the £100k-per-week salary at Toronto might prove to be too tempting to turn down.

But, with steady teammates such as Stach next to him, Brownhill could shine as a gung-ho midfield presence up a division, as Leeds attempt to make survival less of a chore with entertaining displays.

Aston Villa in pole position to sign £35m Brazilian ahead of Man City and Leeds

The Villans desperately need to get moving this summer.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 2, 2025

It has been a long time since the mood around Arsenal has been so jubilant.

Amazingly, it was the complete opposite just a couple of days ago, with fans having to deal with fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur closing in on Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz suffering another potentially significant injury.

Fortunately, everything changed on Wednesday evening when reports broke of the club going back in and hijacking the move for the Crystal Palace star.

With a ‘here we go’ from Fabrizio Romano and news of him completing his medical yesterday, the Gunners have finally got their hands on the potentially game-changing number ten they’ve needed for so long.

Yet, if Arsenal want to really get the most out of Eze and help him reach or surpass the numbers Liverpool’s new ten, Florian Wirtz, put up last season, they should be going in for another international they’ve been linked with this summer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Why Arsenal signed Eze

One of the primary reasons Arsenal decided to splash the cash on Eze this summer is undoubtedly his output of the last few years.

For example, across the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, was able to score 25 goals and provide 17 assists in 79 appearances, totalling 5588 minutes.

In other words, the former QPR gem maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 133.04 minutes for a mid-table side.

Appearances

36

43

Minutes

2285′

3303′

Goals

11

14

Assists

6

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.41′

132.12′

The second significant reason the North Londoners went all out for the Greenwich-born superstar is the fact that he can play as a ten and out on the left.

These were two of the most significant problem areas for the team last season, as Martin Odegaard was miles off his creative best and neither Gabriel Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard were able to offer enough threat out wide.

Finally, while it will take some time for the 5 foot 10 dynamo to familiarise himself with Arsenal’s style of player and Arteta’s tactical ideas, he’s Premier League-proven.

Therefore, it shouldn’t take anywhere near as long as some of the Gunners’ other signings to get up to speed.

However, while Eze looks like he could be a game-changing addition to the North Londoners’ squad, they could potentially get even more out of him and help him hit the numbers of Wirtz last season by signing another international star they’ve been linked with: Ademola Lookman.

Why Lookman can help Eze hit Wirtz numbers

Given their attacking problems last season, it’s hardly been a surprise to see the sheer number of offensive players Arsenal have been linked with this summer.

One of the most exciting and intriguing of those has been Lookman, who could be available for around £43m after his move to Inter Milan fell through, and he could help Eze hit the incredible numbers Wirtz did last season: 31 goal involvements in 45 games.

The first reason we think this is that the Nigerian international is a lean, mean output machine.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

Since moving to the Serie A side in August 2022, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored a brilliant 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

That means the 5 foot 9 monster has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes on the continent.

Just imagine the sort of numbers the former Everton man would put up in this Arsenal side, and then the goals and assists the Palace ace could chalk up playing alongside him.

Moreover, there would be plenty of opportunities for the two to play together, as even though the Wandsworth-born game-changer spent much of last season up top, he is just as comfortable playing on either wing, as a second striker, or even in midfield.

This ability to cover practically every area of the attack also means that he could cover for the FA Cup winner when needed, ensuring he isn’t overplayed and is always near his best.

Ultimately, Eze is an excellent signing in his own right, but were Arsenal to also bring in Lookman this summer, he could help the Englishman hit the sort of numbers Wirtz did for Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Palace's "unusual" Eze demand sparked Tottenham fear before Arsenal hijack

The England international has agreed to re-join his boyhood club.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 22, 2025

Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas expressed optimism about Gio Reyna’s prospects with both Borussia Mönchengladbach and the U.S. men’s national team, suggesting the midfielder could still be in the World Cup conversation. Lalas highlighted Reyna’s strong debut despite Gladbach’s rough Bundesliga start.

Getty Images SportReyna back in USMNT contention

Lalas highlighted the way Reyna has handled the move and his public comments as showing the right mentality. 

"Thank you, Gio, for a couple of things. No. 1, having the right attitude and saying the right things publicly,” Lalas said on his State of Union podcast. “That's exactly what if I'm Pochettino or any American fan out there, you want to hear in that there is a recognition that he is on the outside looking in, and there's also a recognition that he needed to do what was necessary to put himself back in contention.

“If he is playing and yes, if he is playing well, but I think because he's Gio Reyna, it's literally if he's playing. We know that he's playing for a team that is going to struggle this year, and they certainly struggled in the game [last weekend]. But that there was this American view of a positive of seeing Gio Reyna on the field, I think it shows how much faith people still have in Gio Reyna."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportReyna's intriguing skillset

Lalas expressed that the widespread faith in Reyna's abilities remains justified based on these recent performances, even as Gladbach works through early-season challenges.

“Like I said, how much leash we are willing to give him because of his talent. But that humility in those comments, I think, is going to serve him well going forward,” Reyna explained. “And again, if he is not just playing, but being recognized in general as having a good game, even in crap results for a team, that bodes well for the future because this is not a very, very good team.

“I hesitate to use the word star, but at least make an impact. And I know we're kind of myopic and what we're looking at when it comes to Gladbach. This is again a wonderful thing. And I hope that he's, again, knock on wood, stays healthy and continues to start with the score.”

Gladbach move pivotal

The 22-year-old midfielder's summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Mönchengladbach for approximately $7 million was designed specifically to provide the regular playing time needed to fulfill his considerable potential ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

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Getty Images SportTough road ahead

Reyna faces immediate challenges with Borussia Mönchengladbach's upcoming Bundesliga fixtures as they face Bayer Leverkusen on Sept. 20 followed by Eintracht Frankfurt on Sept. 26. 

أشاد الإسباني روبرتو مارتينيز، المدير الفني لمنتخب البرتغال الأول لكرة القدم باحترافية كريستيانو رونالدو التي لا مثيل لها.

ويخوض منتخب البرتغال مباراتين ضد كل من أيرلندا والمجر، وذلك في خضم منافسات تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى بطولة كأس العالم، نسخة 2026 في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا والمكسيك.

كان المنتخب البرتغالي قد فاز ببطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية على حساب منتخب إسبانيا بركلات الترجيح، وتألق رونالدو في هذه المباراة تألقًا كبيرًا وكان حاسمًا أمام الإسبان كعادته.

وقال مارتينيز في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس”: “خلال مسيرتي المهنية، عملت مع العديد من العباقرة، لاعبين من النخبة عقليًا وجسديًا لكن كريستيانو رونالدو لا يفقد شغفه أبدًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | قائمة منتخب البرتغال لمباراتي أيرلندا والمجر في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وأكمل: “عادة عندما يفوز اللاعب أو يُحقق شيئًا ما، لا يشعر بنفس الشغف في صباح اليوم التالي، لم أرَ ذلك مع كريستيانو، معه صباح اليوم التالي هو فرصة للتحسين والفوز مجددًا، هذا أمر فريد من نوعه”.

وأردف: “كريستيانو موجود منذ 20 عامًا، لم يعد اللاعب نفسه الذي كان عليه سابقًا لكنه دائمًا ما يجد طريقة ليكون مفيدًا وهو قدوة للآخرين بفضل ما يقدمه على أرض الملعب، يعشق كرة القدم ويحب الدفاع عن ألوان البرتغال، لعب أكثر من 200 مباراة، ولا يزال يُقدم مثالًا يُحتذى به، سيبقى ذكراه خالدًا”.

وعن التحديات التي تواجه المنتخب كشف: “عندما وصلت إلى البرتغال كانت أكبر مفاجأة هي الطبيعة التنافسية للمنتخب الوطني وطموح اللاعبين الشباب للتطور”.

واستطرد: “كأس ​​العالم؟ لم نضمن التأهل بعد لكننا نشعر أننا جميعًا نعمل نحو هدف، في عام 1966 حققنا المركز الثالث في كأس العالم، وفي عام 2016 فزنا بأمم أوروبا والآن كأس العالم في عام 2026 لا يُخفي اللاعبون أن هدفهم هو الفوز بكأس العالم، جميعهم يستحقون ذلك، الشعب البرتغالي يستحق ذلك”.

South Africa’s last pair survive nervy finish to salvage draw after Bulbulia century

ECB Reporters Network29-Jan-2025Farhan Ahmed was the star again with a five-wicket haul but it was not enough as England Men U19s fell one wicket short of claiming victory in the first Youth Test against South Africa Men U19s in Stellenbosch.Ahmed completed a dominant display with both bat and ball – returning match figures of nine for 181 after his first-innings 90 – only for the home side to snatch a draw chasing 317 to win.Opener Muhammed Bulbulia’s century had South Africa Men U19s on course before spin duo Ahmed (five for 103) and Tazeem Ali (three for 57) inspired a collapse of six for 56 and left the tail with over an hour to bat.Ali eventually broke a stubborn 84-ball ninth-wicket stand when Raeeq Daniels edged to Archie Vaughan at first slip, but with just eight balls left the home side saw it through to the close – albeit in unconventional style.Last man Nqobani Mokoena opted to attack the final over from Ahmed, who had eight fielders around the bat, finding the rope twice including smashing the final ball through cover.The Young Lions had earlier declared at 336 for nine after quick runs from Jack Home (60 not out) before the impressive Bulbulia – who made 88 in the first innings – paced the chase with 114 from 154 balls.Bulbulia fell victim to Ahmed, spooning back a return catch, and the Nottinghamshire 16-year-old all-rounder had his five-wicket haul in the same over when Divan de Villiers was bowled attempting a big shot.Lethabo Phahlamohlaka ushered his side to the draw though, with an unbeaten 46, despite nervously watching Mokoena’s final-ball antics from his haunches at the non-striker’s end.The second Youth Test begins at Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town on Monday.

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been directly linked to the Barcagate scandal after police uncovered WhatsApp messages showing he monitored a paid social media campaign designed to attack rivals and even Pep Guardiola. Investigators allege Bartomeu concealed contracts, manipulated polls, and used fake accounts to boost his image before the 2021 elections.

• Police reveal Bartomeu’s role in smear campaign

  The Catalan police have confirmed that ex-president Bartomeu was fully aware of, and actively monitored, a paid social media campaign commissioned by Barcelona and involving a company called Nicestream during his presidency, as per a recent report by . The report also cited police reports, stating that the seized WhatsApp messages show Bartomeu receiving regular updates from adviser Jaume Masferrer on Nicestream’s activity, which included smear campaigns against rivals Joan Laporta, Victor Font, and even Pep Guardiola. Police allege Bartomeu deliberately concealed contracts and commissions from auditors and investigators.

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• Former president's role in Barcagate

  Investigators found 138 Nicestream reports on Bartomeu’s devices, though only around 20 were shared with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the firm tasked with auditing the club after the scandal first broke in 2020. Police claim Bartomeu deliberately hid the most damaging documents, which detailed interventions designed to defame rivals, manipulate polls, and even monitor journalists critical of his leadership. Over €2.3 million was reportedly paid to Nicestream through split contracts, designed to avoid internal oversight. The funds, the report concludes, were used for Bartomeu’s “personal purposes and benefits.”

• Attacks on Guardiola and Rivals

  The police report highlights Nicestream’s strategy of deploying 226 fake accounts to shape online discourse. These included targeted campaigns to discredit Guardiola and his supporters due to his perceived closeness with Joan Laporta. Víctor Font was also the subject of an “action plan” intended to “inconvenience” him during his presidential campaign. At the same time, positive posts were generated in support of Bartomeu’s allies, including former president Sandro Rosell. Police note that Bartomeu even requested edits to his own images in reports, underscoring his direct involvement.

  The ex-chief has consistently denied any wrongdoing, with Barca initially dismissing suggestions of smear campaigns. However, the newly recovered messages indicate that the former president not only approved of the campaigns but also attempted to obstruct internal investigations. When auditors requested full documentation, Bartomeu reportedly replied: “This audit is commissioned by the board, and the board will only make the findings public.” The Mossos conclude that Bartomeu was “reluctant to allow anyone to review the contract,” strengthening suspicions of a cover-up.

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• Getty Images
  

  Barcagate probe deepens as Bartomeu awaits ruling

  The report is now in the hands of Barca’s 13th investigating court, where the Barcagate case has been under review for over five years. Bartomeu, along with senior figures including Jaume Masferrer, remains under formal investigation following their 2021 arrests. Meanwhile, the Guardiola's City are focused on the pitch shifts to the Champions League clash with Napoli.

Manchester United have agreed an off-field deal which has left director of football Jason Wilcox “delighted”.

It has been a productive summer transfer window so far for the Red Devils, with INEOS spending more than £200m on the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

However, the club have also bolstered their ranks for the future with a deal for teenage defender Diego Leon. United paid Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno £7m for Leon, who Ruben Amorim used in pre-season.

Talking during the summer after appearing in friendlies, Leon said: “It’s incredible. I am really enjoying being here with team-mates and learning a lot of things. It’s the first time I have had friendlies like this. I thought it was going to be the stadium half-empty before entering the pitch but then, I hear a sound that surprised me! The stadium is full, the fans. It’s all crazy.”

Related New Pogba: INEOS offered bargain deal to sign "world-class" CM for Man Utd

Manchester United could finally end their midfielder pursuit with a player just like Paul Pogba.

Posts 2 ByEthan Lamb Aug 21, 2025

Leon could feature in the club’s academy ranks while also pushing for a spot in the first-team squad under Amorim, and a new update on the club’s academy has been confirmed.

Man Utd agree deal for Brentford academy director

On Thursday, it was revealed that the new academy director for Man Utd will be Stephen Torpey.

The Red Devils had been looking to fill the vacancy since Nick Cox departure to Everton as technical director was confirmed in June. Cox has stayed at Carrington to ensure a smooth transition and will take up the role on Merseyside when Brentford academy director Torpey joins in the coming months.

Wilcox admitted he was “delighted” and described Torpey’s previous work as “outstanding”.

Torpey said after a move to Man Utd was announced: “I am really proud to have this opportunity to lead Manchester United’s academy. It is obviously a great time to be joining as the club enters an exciting new era; I can’t wait to play my role in continuing the incredible tradition of youth development here.

“After spending time with the leadership team, it is clear that the academy will always remain key to the identity of Manchester United, with our primary aim being to produce players ready to support a first team capable of challenging for the biggest honours.”

Fulham have now overtaken two of their Premier League rivals in the race for a striker, having tabled an official offer, according to a report.

Cottagers eyeing striker despite Atalanta ending Muniz pursuit

Atalanta have been heavily linked with a move for Rodrigo Muniz this summer, but the Italian club have grown tired of waiting for the Cottagers to lower their lofty asking price, instead opting to make a move for Lecce striker Nikola Krstovic.

As such, Muniz is now expected to remain at Craven Cottage this summer, which is likely to be music to Marco Silva’s ears, given that the Brazilian once again underlined his importance to the side by scoring a dramatic late equaliser against Brighton at the weekend.

As such, there may be little reason for Silva to bring in a centre-forward capable of immediately challenging for Muniz’s starting spot, but an approach has been made for an up-and-coming prospect.

That is according to a report from Mozzart Sport, which states Fulham have now submitted an official offer for Partizan Belgrade striker Dusan Jovanovic, who has also been identified as a target for Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.

However, after making an opening bid, a move to Craven Cottage is now deemed the ‘most concrete’ option, indicating the west Londoners have overtaken their Premier League rivals in the race for Jovanovic’s signature.

Boost for Fulham: £100k-a-week PL forward now keen on Craven Cottage move

The Cottagers are looking to sign a Premier League forward.

ByDominic Lund Aug 20, 2025

That said, a report from TV Arena Sport suggests the Cottagers are not prepared to spend big on the 19-year-old, having only offered €250k (£216k), which was knocked back, with the Serbian club looking for at least €1m (£860k).

"Fantastic" Jovanovic is one for the future

It remains to be seen whether Fulham are able to get a deal over the line, having tabled what has been deemed an insultingly low offer, but there are signs the youngster could be an exciting long-term addition to the squad.

Most notably, the teenager maintained a very impressive goal and assist record at youth level across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

Season

League appearances

Goal contributions

2022-23

29

19

2023-24

23

22

As such, the Serbian has been able to force himself into first-team contention at a very young age, having now made 19 appearances for the senior Partizan side, while he is also held in high regard by scout Jacek Kulig.

Kulig has lauded Jovanovic as “fantastic” in the past, indicating the starlet could go on to be successful in the Premier League, although that is unlikely to be in the near future, given that he is yet to properly establish himself in Serbia.

He hasn’t played ODIs since the 2023 ODI World Cup but hopes to make a return for Pakistan next month

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2025

Fakhar Zaman is “100% certain” he will play for Pakistan again and is gearing up for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 and will be hosted in Pakistan and Dubai.”A 100%, I will play for Pakistan (again),” Fakhar, 34, told the . “Actually, many people do not know about that, but after the T20 World Cup I got sick and because of the medical condition I was not fit, so I was not a part of the team.”But now I [have] recovered 100%, and you will see me in the next white-ball series which Pakistan play.”Related

Saim Ayub to travel to London for ankle fracture treatment

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PCB issues Fakhar Zaman show-cause notice after post in support of Babar Azam

Fakhar, once an integral part of the Pakistan white-ball setup, has not played international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup last June in the USA and West Indies, where Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage. He last played an ODI in the 2023 ODI World Cup but is hopeful of returning for the Champions Trophy at home.Incidentally, it was in the 2017 Champions Trophy that Fakhar shot to prominence with a title-winning 114 against India in the final at The Oval in London. “My plan has been around the Champions Trophy,” he said. “I did not play in the Australia tour or in the South Africa tour, so my whole plan was just to play in the Champions Trophy, to make myself available and to be fully fit for the tournament.”That was in the back of my mind, and I am thankful, and I am lucky to be fit right now. I started from the Champions Trophy 2017 and that went really well for me and now I am very excited for the next edition also. I talked to the selectors, the head coach, and everyone wanted me to play in the Champions Trophy.”Fakhar Zaman is currently in the UAE for his maiden ILT20 stint•Associated Press

Fakhar had high praise for 22-year-old opener Saim Ayub, who has become a regular across formats for Pakistan. Ayub has had a sensational start to his ODI career, with three centuries and a fifty in nine innings, which includes hundreds in Australia and South Africa. However, an ankle fracture sustained during the first morning of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town has put his Champions Trophy campaign in jeopardy.”I hope and I believe that he will recover quickly, and I was thinking yesterday to call Saim just to talk to him about this injury,” Fakhar said. “Believe me, he is such a great player that if he continues to play for the next four to five years, he will be at the top and he will be amongst the top three players in the world.”While Fakhar wants to open the batting for Pakistan, he may not find a slot there, with Ayub, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan already at the top of the order.”In Pakistan, we have three of the best players in the world in Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, so sometimes I feel lucky to be in the team even if I am not able to make my place in the team as an opener,” Fakhar said. “If the team has faith in me and they want me to bat at number four or five, that totally makes sense, because for me the team is always first and I play wherever the team wants me to play, but I always prefer to open.”Fakhar is currently gearing up for his maiden ILT20 stint where he will feature for the 2023 runners-up Desert Vipers. “There are many Pakistani players who have played for the Desert Vipers including Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Azam Khan and Mohammad Amir and they talk really highly about this team, the environment, the management, the way they play the cricket and the way their mindset is,” Fakhar said. “So when I got the offer, without any discussion with anyone, I said ‘yes, I would love to play for this team.'”The ILT20 begins on January 11, with the Dubai Capitals taking on MI Emirates in Dubai.

Defending champions India started their Under-19 Women’s World Cup campaign with a bang, routing West Indies for just 44 before scripting a nine-wicket win. This came just hours after Sri Lanka had skittled Malaysia for 23 earlier on Sunday.In the second game of the day, India’s bowlers cashed in on their decision to bowl first by troubling West Indies with swing and spin. Fast bowler VJ Joshitha handed them a double-blow when she trapped Samara Ramnath in front and on the next ball had Naijanni Cumberbatch caught at slip to a superb diving catch from Sanika Chalke.When left-arm spinners Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia struck in consecutive overs to remove Jahzara Claxton and Brianna Harricharan respectively for ducks, West Indies were 17 for 4 after 5.1 overs. Three run outs in as many overs added to their woes, and 39 for 7 soon became 44 all out as Shukla and Sisodia wrapped things up. Sisodia finished with 3 for 7 while Joshitha and Shukla picked up two each.India lost only Gongadi Trisha, for 4, in the modest chase as G Kamalini and Chalke finished things off in 4.2 overs.Dahami Sanethma top scored for Sri Lanka with 55•ICC via Getty Images

Hosts Malaysia were shot out for just 23 in their maiden Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup appearance by Sri Lanka, who completed a 139-run win in the first of the two games on Sunday, in Kuala Lumpur.Put in to bat, Sri Lanka rode on quick knocks from opener Sanjana Kavindi (30 off 13) and No. 3 Dahami Sanethma (55 off 52) to score 52 in the powerplay before Sanethma led the innings even as wickets fell at the other end, including two in the 17th over. Cameos from Hiruni Hansika (28 off 21) and Shashini Gimhani (13 off 7) powered them to 162.In reply, Malaysia lasted 14.1 overs as left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda struck twice in the second over to reduce the hosts to 2 for 3. Manudi Nanayakkara and Limansa Thilakarathna took two wickets each as no Malaysia batter reached double-figures and six were dismissed for ducks. Praboda finished with figures of 4-2-5-3.